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    • Traci Purdum

    Ollisphoto Traci Purdum1173 300 A8x10blue
    Editor-in-Chief
    Phone: 630-454-7077

    Traci Purdum, an award-winning business journalist with extensive experience covering manufacturing and management issues, is a graduate of the Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Kent, Ohio, and an alumnus of the Wharton Seminar for Business Journalists, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

    Non-Compete-Ban Best Practices For The Chemical Industry

    Traci Purdum
    April 26, 2024
    Protecting intellectual property is still possible without a non-compete agreement.

    Tips To Navigate ChemicalProcessing.com and See Stars

    Traci Purdum
    April 22, 2024
    Consider me your cruise director for our site. Welcome aboard – we’ve been expecting you.

    American Chemistry Council Sounds Off On EPA’s Latest Hazardous Substance Rule

    Traci Purdum
    April 19, 2024
    EPA’s rule designates two PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation...

    Podcast: How To Succeed at Process Safety Management — 10 Rules

    Traci Purdum
    April 16, 2024
    Based on his many years in the chemical industry and his years at the CSB, John Bresland developed a “top 10” list of rules for process safety success.

    Podcast: How Storytelling Improves Operator Performance

    Traci Purdum
    April 12, 2024
    From knowledge capture and transfer to making technical information understandable and engaging, storytelling aids in retaining tacit knowledge and contextual understanding and...

    Podcast: 7 Steps To Better Cybersecurity

    Traci Purdum
    March 19, 2024
    This short list will help your organization get moving on more robust cybersecurity practices.

    Operator Training Podcast: Remove Team Performance Barriers

    Traci Purdum
    March 15, 2024
    Psychological safety is crucial for effective team environments, allowing individuals to speak up and admit uncertainty without fear of reprisal. Tools such as self-assessment...

    SEC Rule Requires Disclosure of GHG Emissions

    Traci Purdum
    March 8, 2024
    Scope 1,2,3 requirements will be impacted and only reported if significant.

    Engage Your 2028 Workforce Now

    Traci Purdum
    March 6, 2024
    Finding operators and engineers to continue where Baby Boomers left off is a contest-winning proposition.

    Podcast: Lessons Learned from Boeing’s 737 MAX Crisis

    Traci Purdum
    March 5, 2024
    Boeing was known for its engineering excellence until a focus on profitability took over. Properly documenting management of change and recognizing weak signals could have prevented...

    Clear Up Corrosion Confusion

    Traci Purdum
    Feb. 26, 2024
    Expert answers questions regarding corrosion inhibitors and stainless steel.

    Podcast: How To Manage Upsets and Achieve a Stable Condition

    Traci Purdum
    Feb. 16, 2024
    Upsets are going to happen, so why not plan for it? Learn how.

    Podcast: Master Inherently Safer Design Principles

    Traci Purdum
    Feb. 13, 2024
    Eliminate, substitute or minimize hazards to save lives and the environment.

    Mixing How To: Ribbon Blenders, Tank Baffles and Avoiding Hazards

    Traci Purdum
    Feb. 6, 2024
    Mixing expert answers readers questions.

    OSHA Issues Surprise Safety Update

    Traci Purdum
    Jan. 31, 2024
    Q&A format provides OSHA’s “take” on PSM compliance.

    Red Sea Transport Crisis Causes Chemical Sector Delays

    Traci Purdum
    Jan. 26, 2024
    Delays are leading to production cuts and challenges in fulfilling orders.

    Faster Ways To Train Chemical Operators

    Traci Purdum
    Jan. 19, 2024
    Simulators and virtual reality offer objective ways to measure and improve training.

    Accident Anniversaries: Honoring Lives and Learning Lessons

    Traci Purdum
    Jan. 16, 2024
    From the LNG explosion in Algeria and the Boston molasses spill to Flixborough and the Valdez oil spill, the discussion underscores the ongoing relevance of these incidents and...

    Avoid Common Pitfalls of Risk Perception Via Statistics, Storytelling

    Traci Purdum
    Dec. 19, 2023
    This episode discusses the challenges of intuitively understanding uncertainty and likelihoods in risk assessments. It also stresses the need for storytelling and stakeholder ...

    Chemical Processing Book Club: Strong Supply Chains Through Resilient Operations

    Traci Purdum
    Dec. 19, 2023
    What happens when five consultants introduce five principles for supply-chain health? You get a new book.

    How To Avoid Alarm Rationalization Mistakes

    Traci Purdum
    Dec. 8, 2023
    This episode focuses on alarm rationalization mistakes, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying problems rather than just managing the steady-state alarm rate.

    View Chemical Processing's History—See Our Future

    Traci Purdum
    Dec. 5, 2023
    We’ve covered a lot in 85 years, and the next 85 look promising

    Operator Training: Does Font Size Matter?

    Traci Purdum
    Nov. 29, 2023
    Consider contrast, font color, and size, as well as background colors, to ensure operators can do their jobs well and without fatigue.

    La Mède Refinery Tragedy Unveils Critical Corrosion Lessons

    Traci Purdum
    Nov. 22, 2023
    The importance of rigorous corrosion inspection programs and the need for comprehensive risk assessments in facility design are paramount to process safety.

    Report: A Hazardous Chemical Incident Occurs Every 1.2 Days in the U.S.

    Traci Purdum
    Nov. 10, 2023
    The majority of incidents originate from the production, transport and disposal of fossil fuels and fossil fuel products

    Operator Training: Unlock Efficiency, Enhance Safety By Reducing Emergency Procedures

    Traci Purdum
    Nov. 10, 2023
    In this episode, Traci and Dave discuss the importance of reducing emergency procedures in chemical processing for better operator training and performance.

    Lessons Learned From The Deadly Explosion In Pasadena, Texas

    Traci Purdum
    Nov. 7, 2023
    The legacy of Mary Kay O'Connor, who was killed in this incident, has aided in promoting process safety and saving lives.

    Chemical Processing Book Club: Transforming Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

    Traci Purdum
    Oct. 24, 2023
    Girish K. Malhotra explains his vision for environmental innovation

    Podcast: Low-Cost Ways to Improve Operator Decision-Making

    Traci Purdum
    Oct. 20, 2023
    Helping operators learn from past incidents and use pattern recognition to make better decisions faster will improve safety and efficiency.

    Chemical Processing Names Three Vaaler Award Winners in 2023

    Traci Purdum
    Oct. 6, 2023
    The awards recognize products that promise to significantly improve the operations and economics of plants.