2025 Spring Meeting and 21st Global Congress on Process Safety
(180c) Implementing Process Safety Education in a Chemical Engineering Curriculum in Southern Brazil: The Role of an Aiche Student Chapter
Authors
Leonardo Barbosa Martins - Presenter, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul
Eduardo Francisco, VALE
Gerti Weber Brun, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul
Allan Morcelli, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul
The integration of process safety education into the undergraduate Chemical
Engineering curriculum is crucial for developing a future workforce equipped with the
knowledge and skills to prioritize safety. Chemical engineers routinely handle hazardous
materials and design complex processes, which heavily rely on equipment integrity. Thus,
they need to acquire a comprehensive understanding of risk assessment, hazard
identification, and mitigation strategies. By incorporating process safety education,
graduates can acquire the expertise to proactively prevent accidents, safeguarding
themselves, colleagues, the environment, and the public, while also ascertaining the
economic security of companies. Introducing process safety concepts early in their
academic journey can heighten students' awareness of their ethical obligation to prioritize
safety throughout their careers. This study described the implementation of process safety
education within the undergraduate Chemical Engineering curriculum at a private
university in southern Brazil. The initiative was facilitated by the establishment of an
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) student chapter, providing access to
professional resources. We detail the challenges and successes encountered during the
integration process, outlining the curricular modifications, faculty development
strategies, and student engagement methods employed. By sharing this experience, we
aim to contribute valuable insights for other universities seeking to incorporate process
safety education into their Chemical Engineering programs.
Engineering curriculum is crucial for developing a future workforce equipped with the
knowledge and skills to prioritize safety. Chemical engineers routinely handle hazardous
materials and design complex processes, which heavily rely on equipment integrity. Thus,
they need to acquire a comprehensive understanding of risk assessment, hazard
identification, and mitigation strategies. By incorporating process safety education,
graduates can acquire the expertise to proactively prevent accidents, safeguarding
themselves, colleagues, the environment, and the public, while also ascertaining the
economic security of companies. Introducing process safety concepts early in their
academic journey can heighten students' awareness of their ethical obligation to prioritize
safety throughout their careers. This study described the implementation of process safety
education within the undergraduate Chemical Engineering curriculum at a private
university in southern Brazil. The initiative was facilitated by the establishment of an
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) student chapter, providing access to
professional resources. We detail the challenges and successes encountered during the
integration process, outlining the curricular modifications, faculty development
strategies, and student engagement methods employed. By sharing this experience, we
aim to contribute valuable insights for other universities seeking to incorporate process
safety education into their Chemical Engineering programs.