Near-Miss Events at Refineries, Industrial Plants, and Offshore Vessels: Why Close Calls Demand Immediate Action A near-miss event is any unplanned incident that could have caused a personal injury, property damage, or an environmental release—but didn’t, thanks only...
Property owners in Texas have a legal responsibility to provide a reasonably safe environment for their customers, guests, and anyone lawfully on their property. This duty is especially important for businesses open to the public — including restaurants, retail...
Fishing tournaments are a popular way for anglers to compete, enjoy the outdoors, and earn recognition or prizes. But when a serious boating accident occurs during one of these events important legal questions arise about who is responsible for the harm caused. While...
Runway incursions are among the most serious safety threats in aviation. They occur when an aircraft, vehicle, or person is incorrectly positioned on a runway, creating a risk of collision or near-miss with another aircraft. While some incursions end without personal...
Personnel basket transfers are a necessary part of many offshore and maritime operations, but they carry serious risks when not executed properly. These transfers often take place between vessels or from a vessel to a platform, using a crane and a specially designed...
In hot air balloon operations, clearance decisions can determine whether a flight ends safely or results in a collision. Because balloons cannot steer with precision, maintaining adequate distance from buildings, towers, power lines, and terrain is critical. When...
One of the key technologies powering autonomous vehicles is LIDAR—short for Light Detection and Ranging. This system acts like the “eyes” of a robotaxi, scanning the surroundings with pulses of laser light to map objects, vehicles, pedestrians, and road conditions in...
Modern oil refineries depend heavily on automated control systems to regulate pressure, temperature, chemical flow, and other critical operating conditions. These systems include distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, and...
Pipelines are the lifeblood of any refinery, moving volatile chemicals, fuel, steam, and gases throughout the facility. When a pipeline fails, the results can be catastrophic — including fires, explosions, chemical exposure, and widespread injury. While some pipeline...
Commercial truck drivers are responsible for safely operating massive, heavy vehicles over long distances, often on tight schedules. That responsibility requires focus, coordination, and quick reaction time—traits that can be seriously impaired by the use of...