Instructor Spotlight - Scott Wozniak

What has been your favorite project or research you’ve worked on? Why?

Fifteen years ago, I had the privilege of serving as Chair of the API Safety and Fire Protection Committee during the tragic BP Deepwater Horizon incident. My Vice Chair was from BP, and what unfolded became one of the most defining moments of my career. I worked directly with U.S. government officials, the Chemical Safety Board, and industry leaders to navigate the response and push for lasting change. That experience not only deepened my commitment to process safety—it launched me onto a path of leadership, advocacy, and education in the field. Since then, I’ve continued to shape industry standards through my work with API, AFPM, the OISD (Oil Industry Safety Directorate), and other global safety organizations. I’ve authored and presented numerous technical papers with customers such as Petronas in Malaysia and at the AIChE Global Congress on Process Safety, sharing insights and driving innovation. Perhaps most meaningful to me, I’ve had the opportunity to teach and train over 30,000 students, professionals, and industry leaders in over 50 countries around the world. Whether in classrooms, refineries, or global conferences, I strive to instill not only technical knowledge but a culture of safety that lasts.  With over 15,000 LinkedIn followers, I’m honored to be considered a trusted voice in process safety—and environmental.

How do you ensure that your students gain practical, hands-on experience with the technical concepts you teach?

I start by laying a solid foundation of the core technical concepts. Once those are in place, we dive into real-world case studies involving major process safety incidents from around the globe. I often incorporate videos from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board and other trusted sources to walk students through what happened during a specific event. From there, we work together as a team to analyze the root causes, identify failures in systems or processes, and extract key lessons learned. This interactive, problem-solving approach really makes the concepts come alive—it challenges students to think critically and apply what they’ve learned. With my background in conducting numerous incident investigations and Root Cause Analyses—across more than 150 customer sites—I’m able to share first-hand insights and practical experiences. I also make it personal. I talk about the human impact of these incidents, including the tragic loss of life, and why our work matters. Ultimately, my goal is to make safety real for each person in the room—and to inspire a deep commitment to preventing future incidents.

 What are the latest trends or advancements in your field that you find exciting?

One of the most exciting trends in process safety is the growing emphasis it’s receiving in academia. More universities are now incorporating process safety into their engineering curricula, which is a huge step forward in preparing the next generation of engineers with a safety-first mindset. Another encouraging development is the increased collaboration across companies. Historically, organizations were hesitant to share information due to concerns about intellectual property. But when it comes to safety, that mindset is shifting. There's a growing recognition that sharing knowledge saves lives—and the industry is responding. For example, API and AFPM have launched a joint safety portal. It’s a powerful resource that catalogs real-world incidents by process unit and equipment type, complete with photos and detailed lessons learned. This level of transparency and knowledge-sharing is accelerating learning across the industry and helping everyone improve.

 What advice would you give to someone looking to develop their technical skills in your field?

Take every opportunity you can. Get involved in as many projects, technologies, and process units as time allows—especially those with increasing complexity. Don’t shy away from unfamiliar territory; instead, lean into it. Some of the most valuable learning happens outside your comfort zone. Be curious. Study technical materials, read case studies, and listen to experienced professionals. One of the best ways to build practical knowledge is to volunteer as a scribe during HAZOP sessions. It’s a front-row seat to real-time risk assessment and decision-making. Reviewing past process safety studies—especially HAZOPs—can also be incredibly insightful. These are among the most critical documents in the refining and chemical industries, not only for operations but also during the design phase. They help you understand “what-if” scenarios and the safeguards in place to prevent incidents. And finally, travel if you can. Working across different regions exposes you to new cultures, standards, and approaches. It broadens your perspective and makes you a more well-rounded engineer—and a better safety advocate.

 What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?

I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends—that’s always a priority. I love traveling with my family, exploring new places together, and making memories along the way. I also stay active by running, playing sports, and catching live sporting events whenever I can. Whether it’s on the field or in the stands, I enjoy the energy and connection that sports bring.

 Which courses are you scheduled to teach this year? Or what courses are you able to teach on-site?

Besides the Chicago-based Engineering Design Seminar, I taught in Quito, Ecuador earlier this year and there are proposals to teach several at customer locations.

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