Process Safety: Leadership and Accountability

The following is a summary; the full post is available here.

Leadership defines the strength of an organization’s process safety culture. Policies and equipment matter, but what truly shapes outcomes is how leaders set priorities, allocate resources, and respond to problems.

The disasters at BP Texas City (2005) and Seveso, Italy (1976) reveal two sides of failed leadership: one where production was valued over safety, and another where no one was clearly accountable. True accountability is not about blame but about ownership — ensuring that hazards are understood, safeguards maintained, and people protected.

Effective leaders focus on the right metrics, encourage open reporting, and model safe behavior in daily actions. They ask meaningful questions about barriers, not just schedules, and protect safety investments even under cost pressure. The lesson is clear: leadership and accountability cannot be delegated. They are the visible proof of a healthy safety culture — and the first line of defense against catastrophe.