RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, July 25, 2007 -- Widely-published author and 2006 Merit Award winner J.S. (Steve) Arendt will give a keynote address on safety and security on 2 October at ISA EXPO 2007 in Houston, Texas.
With more than 29 years of experience in chemical process safety and risk management, Arendt has performed hundreds of safety and security analyses, risk assessments, audits and accident investigations on a variety of oil, gas, chemical, and related industry processes. Arendt will deliver the opening keynote address on Tuesday, 2 October at 12:00 noon. His career has been devoted to continuous improvement and his presentation, "Assuring Safety and Security Performance-Establishing the Right Culture," will follow suit. Key concepts will include layered controls, effectively learning from incidents, and evaluating and correcting process safety and security culture dysfunctions within organizations.
Although traditional approaches to safety and security risk management exist, more recent approaches build upon the use of standards, blending performance-based flexibility with risk assessment. These powerful tools, when used appropriately, provide a rational basis for evaluating process safety and comparing alternative safety improvements.
"Even with new technology and management systems in place, accidents and incidents still occur," states Arendt. "Industry is continually seeking ways to take safety and security to the next level." Since 1989, Arendt has worked with several industry groups to develop technical positions dealing with OSHA's process safety management regulation (29 CFR 1910.119) and EPA's risk management program rule (40 CRG Part 68). In 2006, he led ABS Consulting's project to provide support for the BP Independent Safety Review Panel (Baker Panel) evaluation of PSM effectiveness, process safety culture, and corporate oversight of BP's five U.S. refineries.
Arendt was awarded the 2006 Merit Award from the Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center, recognizing significant contributions to the advancement of education, research, and service activities related to process safety concepts and or technologies. He has published over 50 articles, guides and books on PSM and risk management topics.
Founded in 1945, ISA is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation.
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