Introduction to Process Safety and Risk Analysis

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Introduction to Process Safety and Risk Analysis

This course is part of Chemical Hazards and Process Safety Specialization

Instructor: Jason White

14,951 already enrolled

Included with Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

227 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

227 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

5 assignments

Taught in English

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

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This course is part of the Chemical Hazards and Process Safety Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

This course aims to provide process safety experience for engineers, particularly relevant to chemical engineering but applicable to any field involving process operations. This course introduces you to the important, practical, value-added skills and information that will aid your career, or preparation for a career, in chemical process engineering. These skills include an understanding of how to identify, evaluate, assess, and mitigate hazards or risks in the chemical process industry. You will gain insight and skills as you study mistakes of the past and discover how risk and safety will become a bigger and more important part of your decision-making process, both at work and at home.

After this module, you will be able to recognize and understand the importance of the study of process safety in the chemical process industry. You will be able to examine and become familiar with important historical events that have shaped the study of chemical process safety and you will be equipped with important resources necessary for the study of chemical process safety.

What's included

5 videos1 reading2 assignments4 discussion prompts

5 videosTotal 16 minutes

Course Introduction3 minutes
Module 1 Introduction2 minutes
The Chemical Industry & History3 minutes
Hazards Present in the Chemical Process Industry3 minutes
Process Safety Culture & the CCPS Model5 minutes

1 readingTotal 1 minute

Course Navigation and Safety Statement1 minute

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Knowledge Check15 minutes
Module 1 Quiz30 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 80 minutes

Learning Goals10 minutes
The Bhopal Disaster20 minutes
Alcoa Case Study20 minutes
Applying Your Knowledge30 minutes

At the end of this module, you will be identify risk involved in various activities related to the chemical process industry, as well as evaluate this risk using checklist analysis. You will be able to manage risk using safeguards and continue to use lessons from past chemical process safety incidents to inform the implementation of safer solutions and work practices.

What's included

6 videos2 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

6 videosTotal 50 minutes

Module 2 Introduction2 minutes
Understanding Risk9 minutes
Managing Risk11 minutes
Analysis Methods & Checklist Analysis8 minutes
HAZOP7 minutes
HAZOP Example12 minutes

2 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Try It Problem (Suggested Activity)30 minutes
Possible Solutions10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Piper Alpha Case Study20 minutes
Blocked In Case Study20 minutes

At the end of this module, you will be able to apply probability theory to estimate the failure frequencies of equipment and safeguards. You will be able to construct event trees and make calculations for the probabilities of result occurrences. You will also continue to use lessons from past chemical process safety incidents to inform the implementation of safer solutions and work practices.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

At the end of this module, you will be able to construct fault trees and make calculations for the probabilities of event occurrences and be able to identify independent layers of protection. You will be able to use layer of protection analysis to perform risk assessment and apply inherently safer design principles.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment2 discussion prompts

9 videosTotal 43 minutes

Module 4 Introduction2 minutes
Fault Trees8 minutes
Fault Trees Example7 minutes
Bowtie Diagrams2 minutes
Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA)8 minutes
LOPA Example5 minutes
Inherently Safer Design4 minutes
Inherently Safer Design Example3 minutes
Course Summary3 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 4 Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Applying Your Knowledge30 minutes
Self-Reflection10 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(64 ratings)

Jason White

University of California, Davis

4 Courses18,528 learners

Offered by

University of California, Davis

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Reviewed on May 17, 2025

very clear and easy to understand explanation. example discussion is very helpful for apply real world application.

Reviewed on Oct 9, 2025

the course holds a nice kick start to safety procedures and hazards along with risk management. it is easy and provides all the basic knowledge.

Reviewed on Aug 31, 2024

Excellent. Details information is given for beginners

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.