The U.S. Chemical Safety Board recently released the paper "Seven Key Lessons to Prevent Worker Deaths During Hot Work In and Around Tanks -- Effective Hazard Assessment and Use of Combustible Gas Monitoring Will Save Lives"

Have you ever wondered what your peers are thinking or doing? And I'm not just talking about your immediate peers (those you work with every day). I am talking about the big picture – peers from different companies and countries.

As the digital editor for Chemical Processing magazine, I get to dictate what poll questions we will ask visitors to ChemicalProcessing.com – with input from Editor in Chief Mark Rosenzweig, of course.

Editor in Chief Mark Rosenzweig has received numerous kudos for his February column "We Need Another A.C. Gilbert." It's nice to see how readers found their inspiration to pursue a career in the chemical industry. . . and how fondly they remember their childhoods.

Below are a few letters from loyal readers (reprinted with permission) – enjoy!

The Hill -- a Washington, D.C.-based publication that reports on the business of Washington, covering the inner-workings of Congress -- posted a story that highlights the lowlights of a recent Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing that was scheduled to review the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2011 budget.

A Chemical Processing reader submitted this Letter to the Editor to ensure that our audience knows there are modern-day inventors who are working hard to make science and technology fun.

Here is the letter reprinted by permission:

Chemical Processing will be hosting an online panel discussion on condition monitoring. To be precise, the title of the March 24 event is "Condition Monitoring Solutions for Optimum Operational Efficiency." (Click here to learn more.)

I was introduced to the Ig Nobel Prizes several years ago and I always look forward to the announcement of current winners. For those of you not in the know, The Ig Nobel Prizes honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think. The prizes are intended to celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative -- and spur people's interest in science, medicine, and technology.

Here are a few of the 2009 winners, who were honored at a ceremony Oct. 1, 2009, at Harvard's Sanders Theatre:

My 5-year-old nephew, Daniel, will soon spend his first full night at our house. In preparation for the big day/night, I am looking for fun activities to keep him occupied. I remember how much fun my brother and I had over my grandparent's house when my grandpa would take us to his workshop in the basement. He would set up fun experiments and we would feel like mad scientists. I want to create the same fun for Daniel.

Companies are using unique approaches to strike a balance between efficiency and innovation, according to a new report released by American Society for Quality (ASQ).

Dear Mark,
 
I was about a week late in having time to read my latest issue of Chemical Processing Magazine.  As usual, the first article that drew my attention was your "From The Editor: Trade Shows Require Rethinking."  This is a very good and timely editorial.  I am sad to learn that the yearly ISA Exhibition will be no more.