Author Archives: Chet Brandon

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About Chet Brandon

I am a highly experienced Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability Professional for Fortune 500 Companies. I love the challenge of ensuring EHS&S excellence in process, manufacturing, and other heavy industry settings. The connection of EHS to Sustainability is a fascinating subject for me. I believe that the future of industrial organizations depends on the adoption of sustainable practices.

Effects of Culture on Complex Systems

Posted on November 17, 2024 by Chet Brandon

I have recently been considering the impact of culture on the safety of complex systems, specifically chemical operations covered by the Process Safety Management standard. My supposition is that engineering and procedures factors are important building blocks to safe operations … Continue reading →

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My Volunteer Leadership: Purpose and Meaning

Posted on April 4, 2024 by Chet Brandon

I discovered the field of occupational safety and health and knew within the first 30 minutes of my first class, that this was the career I wanted to have, and the kind of people I wanted to work with.  For … Continue reading →

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Organizational Design for Safety: What Works

Posted on February 7, 2021 by Chet Brandon

I was recently in a conversation with a peer in our field who I greatly respect. We were discussing the most effective organizational design in large, multi-site, manufacturing enterprises to maximize the EHS performance. He was considering if the current … Continue reading →

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UP Steam Shop Tour: The Beauty and Art of Heavy Industry

Posted on November 21, 2020 by Chet Brandon

Another outgrowth of my model railroad hobby is my life long interest in the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) 4000 class of steam locomotives. These are commonly known as the “Union Pacific Big Boys”. They were created in the American Locomotive … Continue reading →

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Gaining Old School Skills for the EHS Profession

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Chet Brandon

A holiday tradition in my family is the Christmas train layout under the tree. It started with the birth of my son 20 years ago now. Each year we add to the layout. Truth be told though, it’s more about … Continue reading →

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Sustainability of EHS: Educating the Next Generation of Safety Professionals

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Chet Brandon

I was recently asked by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) to assist them in the creation of video lectures regarding a wide range of subjects related to excellence in the practice of occupational safety and health in America’s … Continue reading →

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Business Rediscovers that It’s About More than Maximizing Shareholder Wealth

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Chet Brandon

A leading business association just published an updated definition of the purpose of a corporation that represents a paradigm shift in corporate governance.  The Business Roundtable is an association of chief executive officers of America’s leading companies.  For over 30 … Continue reading →

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Tried and True: Written Procedures are a Foundation of EHS Success

Posted on December 30, 2018 by Chet Brandon

I often look to NASA and the Apollo missions for examples of safety methods that were/are successful in the harshest of environments –outer space.  The moon landing missions in particular represent risk management, safety engineering and operational control tools that … Continue reading →

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Safety in Aviation and Beyond

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Chet Brandon

In the Fall of each year the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) publishes a pair of reports on accident trends and safety in aviation.  The reports are published though AOPA’s Air Safety Institute.  The reports are the Joseph T. Null … Continue reading →

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Successful Job Transitions for HSE Pros

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Chet Brandon

Seasoned professionals know that there is a method to the madness of a transition into a new role. Young professionals however are frequently not aware. Continue reading →

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