RAMP: A Safety Tool for Chemists and Chemistry Students

Finster, David C.

doi:10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00142

Cited by 19 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Instead, the new content complements traditional hands-on methods and existing general-knowledge laboratory process safety training materials. The team took inspiration from various safety paradigms and methodologies, including Process Hazard Analysis (PHA); Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis (HIRA); , Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA); Recognize hazards, Assess risk, Minimize risk, and Prepare for emergencies (RAMP); and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Hierarchy of Controls . In addition, the R&D P3 team investigated and incorporated best practices into the training content, actively sought to improve existing management systems, and built connections between existing lab safety training resources and newly developed P3 training.…”

Section: Project Summary: Development and Delivery Of Hazard Awarenes...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Process Safety Incident Prevention Project: An Initiative to Reduce Incidents across Dow Laboratories

Wilson

Foisel

Nichols

et al. 2021

ACS Chem. Health Saf.

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The intrinsic nature of Research and Development (R&D) activitiesthe continuous use of new chemicals and development of cutting-edge, sustainable processes at a rapid pacecan increase the potential for Process Safety and Reactive Chemicals accidents. Industrial and academic laboratories have experienced several significant laboratory accidents and near misses. In an effort to decrease laboratory incidents, Dow, with a large global R&D presence, reviewed internal Root Cause Investigations which indicated that improvements were needed in chemical hazard recognition skills, chemical storage and handling, and inventory management. This paper presents a Dow initiative to address and combat such incidents through the charter of a multidisciplinary team composed of Reactive Chemicals, Process Safety, and Environment, Health, & Safety experts along with R&D researchers, who have collaborated to develop and deliver training modules which focus on high-interest safety topics. Module topics were chosen based on recurrence metrics and potential event severity. Modules provide laboratory personnel with basic topic knowledge, specific hazard awareness regarding the topic, and guidance on how to implement appropriate safeguards. The long-term objective is reducing the number and severity of incidents. Over two years, 10 modules have been delivered in various media; at least a quarter of global Dow R&D personnel have independently engaged with this training content, in addition to those directed to it by leaders, peers, safety experts, or training requirements. In addition to the development of enhanced training delivered via multiple platforms, the team has identified and recommended improvements or additions to existing safety management systems designed to identify hazards and control risk.

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Section: Project Summary: Development and Delivery Of Hazard Awarenes...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Process Safety Incident Prevention Project: An Initiative to Reduce Incidents across Dow Laboratories

Wilson

Foisel

Nichols

et al. 2021

ACS Chem. Health Saf.

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show abstract

“…Every safety discussion can be placed within this protocol, and this system is now appearing in various ACS safety publications − and web sites . Another paper in this special issue of JCE describes RAMP more thoroughly . Use of this protocol requires the distinction between hazard and risk which then allows for a clearer path toward risk minimization and safer chemistry.…”

Section: Ramp: An Organizing Paradigmmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…18 Another paper in this special issue of JCE describes RAMP more thoroughly. 19 Use of this protocol requires the distinction between hazard and risk which then allows for a clearer path toward risk minimization and safer chemistry. In addition, the ability to investigate and understand different levels of hazards and distinct aspects of risk intersect well with green chemistry initiatives across the chemical sciences to reduce both hazard levels and overall risk characteristics.…”

Section: ■ Ramp: An Organizing Paradigmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comprehensive Undergraduate Safety Instruction

Finster

Jackson

2020

J. Chem. Educ.

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The variation in curricular approaches to and content of chemical safety instruction in undergraduate programs highlight the need for a more comprehensive, integrative approach. This work describes the efforts of two institutions, Wittenberg University and St. Olaf College, to develop and to implement a chemical safety curriculum across the entirety of the students' undergraduate experience. The use of RAMP (recognize hazards, assess risk, minimize risk, prepare for emergencies) as a central organizing theme enabled the educators and students to consider possibilities and technical materials relative to their knowledge base and to use modes of inquiry and practice to expand that base. While variability in safety presentation and thoroughness exists among individual faculty, department-wide assessment of the curricular aims coupled to faculty safety discourses promotes a culture of safety that is seen as a necessary and valuable part of the chemical enterprise.

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“…RAMP is a relatively simple process that offers a structured review of hazards and risks. 4,21 There are other risk assessment methods. 22 These tend to be more complicated, especially when a quantitative risk assessment is desired.…”

Section: ■ Short Introduction To Rampmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is important to conduct a risk assessment prior to implementing new or revised procedures to avoid incidents and to integrate instruction about the risk management process into undergraduate chemistry courses. RAMP is a relatively simple process that offers a structured review of hazards and risks. , …”

Section: Short Introduction To Rampmentioning

confidence: 99%

Framework for Teaching Safety Case Studies Using a Risk Management Approach

2021

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Real-world safety case studies provide concrete examples of episodes that can be both instructive and memorable for students. We describe here a framework for teaching safety case studies using the RAMP risk management approach. Structured templates guide students to Recognize the hazards present, Assess the associated risks, and consider what risk Minimization and Preparation for emergencies steps were appropriate. The student is then guided to consider what RAMP steps were, or might have been, inadequately addressed. The process culminates with a root cause analysis that examines probable causes of the incident. This guided inquiry framework allows students to gain an understanding of risk management and reiforces the importance of the decision-making process for safety. The Supporting Information for this paper includes the templates, student instruction for the four parts of the process, an instructor’s guide, three examples of the process, and other resource material.

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RAMP: A Safety Tool for Chemists and Chemistry Students

Abstract: RAMP is an acronym for the process “recognize hazards, assess risk, minimize risk, and prepare for emergencies”. This paper describes these four steps in the context of undergraduate instruction about chemical health and safety.

Cited by 19 publications

References 5 publications

Process Safety Incident Prevention Project: An Initiative to Reduce Incidents across Dow Laboratories

Process Safety Incident Prevention Project: An Initiative to Reduce Incidents across Dow Laboratories

Comprehensive Undergraduate Safety Instruction

Framework for Teaching Safety Case Studies Using a Risk Management Approach

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