17 Process Safety Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Process safety engineers are responsible for keeping people safe from the dangers posed by chemical processes and industrial facilities. They work in a variety of industries, including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.

If you’re looking for a job in process safety, you’ll need to be prepared to answer process safety engineer interview questions about your experience, your technical skills, and your ability to work in a team. You’ll also need to be able to show that you have a strong understanding of the principles of process safety and how to apply them in a variety of settings.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample process safety engineer interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with hazardous materials?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have experience working with dangerous chemicals and gases. If you do, they may want to know how you handled the situation. If you don’t, they may want to know what your approach would be in that case. In either case, it’s important to show confidence and a willingness to learn.

Example: “I am comfortable working with hazardous materials because I’ve done so for many years. However, I always take precautions when handling them. For example, I wear protective gear like gloves and goggles. I also make sure to follow all safety protocols. When I’m not familiar with a chemical or gas, I research its properties thoroughly before beginning work.”

What are some of the most important safety procedures you follow when working with hazardous materials?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of safety procedures and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few specific processes that you use regularly and explain why they’re important.

Example: “I always make sure to follow all safety protocols when working with hazardous materials. For example, I wear protective gear like gloves and goggles when handling chemicals or performing experiments. Another important procedure is double-checking my work before releasing any new products into the market. This helps ensure that there are no errors in my calculations or data collection methods.”

How would you handle a situation where a process is not operating safely?

This question can help interviewers understand how you apply your skills to ensure the safety of a facility. Use examples from previous experience where you helped improve processes and reduce risk factors.

Example: “In my last role, I noticed that one of our facilities was experiencing an increase in pressure within its pipes. This could have led to a dangerous situation if left unchecked, so I worked with other engineers to determine what caused this change. We discovered that there were several issues with the system’s sensors, which resulted in inaccurate readings. After replacing the sensors, we reduced the amount of pressure within the pipes and avoided any potential accidents.”

What is the most important piece of equipment you have designed for safety purposes?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with process safety equipment and how you prioritize different aspects of a facility’s design. Use examples from past projects to highlight your engineering skills, communication abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “In my last position as a process safety engineer, I worked on a project that involved designing a new system for an oil refinery. The most important piece of equipment in this situation was the flare tower because it is responsible for safely burning off excess gas during production. In my role, I had to ensure that the flare tower could handle all types of gases produced by the refining process while also being cost-effective for the client.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision regarding the safety of a process.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your decision-making skills and how you handle pressure. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you had to make a tough call that involved the safety of others or the environment.

Example: “In my previous role as a process safety engineer, I was responsible for overseeing the safety of a large oil refinery. One day, we experienced an explosion at one of our facilities, causing significant damage to the surrounding area. After investigating the incident, I determined that there were several factors that contributed to the explosion, including human error. However, I also found that some of the equipment used at the facility was outdated and needed replacing. This led me to recommend shutting down the facility for two weeks so we could replace the equipment.”

If hired, what would be your priorities when it comes to the safety of our process?

This question is a great way to determine how much the candidate values safety and what their priorities would be if they were hired. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of your past experiences with process safety and how you handled them.

Example: “Safety is my top priority when working on any project. I believe that by ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the process, we can create a more efficient and productive work environment for everyone. In my last position, I was tasked with creating a new safety protocol for our plant after an explosion occurred. I worked closely with management to develop a plan that ensured all employees knew exactly what to do in case of an emergency.”

What would you do if you noticed a colleague was not following safety procedures?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. In your answer, try to show that you value safety and are willing to speak up when necessary.

Example: “If I noticed my colleague was not following safety procedures, I would first approach them in private to discuss the issue. If they were aware of their mistake but simply forgot, I would explain why it’s important to follow safety protocols and give them an opportunity to correct their mistake. However, if they continued to ignore safety measures, I would report them to my supervisor so they could take appropriate action.”

How well do you work under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see if you can handle pressure in the workplace. They want to know that you are able to complete your work on time and make decisions under stress. In your answer, explain how you manage pressure and give an example of a time when you had to do so.

Example: “I am very good at working under pressure. I have always been someone who is motivated by deadlines, so I thrive when there is a lot of pressure on me. At my last job, we were tasked with creating a new safety plan for our facility within two weeks. We all worked hard to get it done as quickly as possible, and I was one of the first people to submit my part of the project. It ended up being one of the best safety plans the company ever had.”

Do you have any experience with risk assessment?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a key part of process safety engineering. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or techniques you’ve used in the past and explain how they helped improve your company’s processes.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for conducting risk assessments on all new projects before we implemented them. This allowed me to identify potential hazards and develop strategies to mitigate those risks. For example, when working on a project that involved transporting flammable liquids, I developed a plan to ensure our employees were properly trained on handling these materials and had proper equipment to transport them safely.”

When testing a new process, what is your process for determining the level of risk?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your decision-making process and how you apply it to the job. Use examples from past experience to explain how you make decisions about risk levels, and highlight your ability to analyze data and interpret results.

Example: “In my last role as a process safety engineer, I was tasked with testing out a new method for producing a chemical compound. During our initial tests, we noticed that the new process produced more waste than the previous one. However, after further analysis, we determined that the amount of waste would be less toxic than the original compound. We decided to implement the new process because it posed less risk to employees.”

We want to increase the efficiency of our process. How would you go about doing that while maintaining safety?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you can make improvements in the workplace. Use examples from previous projects or describe how you would approach this situation if it were presented to you.

Example: “I would first assess what’s causing the inefficiency and then determine whether there are any safety concerns with implementing changes. If not, I would implement the change as long as it doesn’t compromise the safety of the facility. For example, at my last job, we wanted to increase efficiency by reducing the amount of time it took for our product to move through the production line. We found that one of the main reasons for the delay was because employees weren’t following proper procedures when moving materials between stations. After training them on the correct procedure, we saw an immediate improvement.”

Describe your process safety philosophy.

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have a strong process safety philosophy and how it applies to the work you do. When answering this question, consider sharing what your values are as they relate to process safety and how you apply them in your daily work.

Example: “I believe that my role as a process safety engineer is to ensure that our company’s processes are safe for employees and contractors while also protecting the environment. I am committed to finding innovative ways to improve our processes so we can reduce risks and increase efficiency. For example, when I was working on a project at my last job, I noticed that there were several redundant steps in one of our production lines. I worked with my team to create a new system that reduced the number of steps in the production line by 50%, which saved us time and money.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and why you are the best person for the job. Before your interview, make a list of all of your skills and experiences that relate to this position. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and how they can benefit the company.

Example: “I am the best candidate for this position because I have extensive experience working in process safety engineering. In my previous role as a process safety engineer, I developed an innovative method for preventing fires at oil refineries. This system saved the company millions of dollars by reducing the amount of money spent on repairs and maintenance. My ability to think creatively has helped me solve problems efficiently and effectively.”

Which industries have you worked in previously?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience and how it applies to their industry. When answering, list the industries you’ve worked in and explain how your previous work experience makes you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I have worked primarily in the chemical manufacturing industry, but I also have some experience working with pharmaceutical companies. In my current position as a process safety engineer at ABC Chemicals, I help ensure that our facilities are safe for employees and the surrounding community. At XYZ Pharmaceuticals, I helped develop new processes for production and testing of medications.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of process safety?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of process safety and how it can impact a company. When answering this question, consider what skills or qualities are most important for a process safety engineer.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of process safety is ensuring that all employees have access to the information they need to do their jobs safely. Process safety engineers should be able to communicate with other employees about any changes in procedures or processes so everyone understands how to work safely. I also believe that regular training is essential to maintaining safe operations because employees may change over time. Regular training ensures that new employees know how to perform their jobs safely.”

How often do you perform routine safety checks?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your process safety engineering experience. Your answer can help the interviewer understand how you approach routine tasks and whether you have any experience with similar processes. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you performed routine checks or discuss what steps you take to perform them.

Example: “I usually perform routine safety checks every six months for each client I work with. This helps me ensure that all of my clients’ facilities are following proper safety procedures and staying within industry standards. It also gives me an opportunity to make sure that our team is performing these checks regularly so we don’t miss anything.”

There is a leak in a pipe that is not currently in use. What is your recommendation?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for how you would handle the situation.

Example: “First, I would determine if there are any active processes that could be affected by the leak. If not, then I would isolate the pipe from all other pipes in order to stop the leak. Next, I would repair the pipe as soon as possible so it can return to its original use. Finally, I would ensure that the company has a plan in place for future leaks.”