Most of my work happens behind a screen: schedules, travel, billing, and keeping a lot of projects moving at once. From there, a project looks like a list of tasks, dates, and deliverables. That view is useful, but it leaves a lot out. Going on site reminds me of that every time. Time in the field makes me better at the planning side of my job. Here's what seeing the work has taught me. What a schedule can't show you A schedule tells you when work should happen. It can't tell

Five Emergency Planning Lessons from Recent Ammonia Refrigeration Facility Fires A fire in an ammonia refrigeration facility creates challenges that extend well beyond extinguishment. Fires can damage structures, interrupt utilities, block access to controls, and compromise refrigeration equipment. These scenarios should be evaluated during applicable Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and addressed through preparedness efforts before an incident occurs. Recent incidents in Orego

This blog is for those in our industry who are waiting for an opportunity: the ones who want to be more than a rounds person, an ammonia refrigeration operator, or a PSM coordinator in a plant. The ones who want to grow, take on more responsibility, and make a name for themselves. Who gets an opportunity, and who doesn’t? What does opportunity look like? When do you have one? Where do you find it? And most importantly, how do you put it all together? Keep reading, and I’ll sh

Walking In I wasn't the auditor. I was the new guy, there to shadow, watch, and learn how a compliance audit actually works. The first thing we opened was the stack of policy documents. From where I stood, they looked complete. Every section had a heading. Every heading had content. Binders were labeled, files were named, nothing jumped out as missing. I remember thinking: this facility has its act together. This should be quick. Then We Started Digging I learned firsthand t