Being responsible for the safety of other people is a problem chemical engineers are confronted with every day. However, engineers tend to deal more with the technical problems rather than safety because it is not their focus.

Martin J. Pitt, University of Sheffield, UK, have discussed models on how safety can be taught. In his eyes young graduates in university should learn how to identify and deal with a hazard. So a certain amount of theoretical background has to be given for a sound basis of knowledge.

To avoid losing the learned skills, Pitt additionally recommends safety topics should be taught near to graduation and the start of the job. Furthermore education should be continued in the companies with focus on topics which are most useful for the individual person. Most of the time these skills should be practiced with active participation rather than in theoretical lectures.

• Teaching Safety in Chemical Engineering: What, How and Who?
  Martin J. Pitt,
  Chem. Eng. Technol. 2012, 35.
  DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201200024