ABSTRACT
The global chemical industry has a mixed record when it comes to operational safety. The chemical plant uses feedstock and creates products that are highly flammable and also toxic. At the chemical plant, some developing operational situations resulted in an immediate decision by the Shift Manager to shut part or all of the plant The Shift Manager has ultimate responsibility for operational decisions made on shift and is the most senior person on site outside normal business hours. Shift Managers at the chemical plant were of the view that they make conservative decisions about safety issues at their plant based on good judgement and experience. They did not see rules or procedures as playing any significant role in decision-making about safety and operational issues. Safety health and environment issues, the plant comes off. Depending on the severity of the issue, the plant comes off.
