Disaster Relief: Public Safety and Public Opinion after a Plant Emergency
Author(s):
James Henken (University of Missouri - Rolla, Phil 025, Spring 2003)
Introduction and Scenario
This project centers around the following scenario. Two
people with relevant experience were interviewed to gain
their reaction to this situation.
You are an engineer in a plant outside a small community.
You work during normal hours, but are on call afterwards; the
plant operates continuously. There are some large vessels in
the plant that contain hazardous vapors. Although your
company has an excellent safety record, several groups in the
community have expressed concerned over the danger it poses,
and publish letters to the editor in the local paper every
month or so.
In the middle of a winter night, your plant manager calls
reporting that several feet of snow which have accumulated
since yesterday have caused a section of the roof in the
plant to collapse. Little more is known yet, but as the
engineer you are expected to help. You are the first person
the manager has called, and they need to know what step to
take next.
My principle interests were:
- Considering public opinion, how much must you know
before notifying the public?
- How can you react is a safe manner while saving
face?
- What can be done to regain trust?
James Henken '03
University of Missouri - Rolla, Phil 025,
Spring 2003
Cite this page:
James Henken (University of Missouri - Rolla, Phil 025, Spring 2003)
"Disaster Relief: Public Safety and Public Opinion after a Plant Emergency"
Online Ethics Center for Engineering
8/22/2006 3:41:42 PM
National Academy of Engineering
Accessed: Tuesday, January 06, 2009
<www.onlineethics.org/CMS/enviro/enviroessays/disrel.aspx>