Content debt is simply the difference between the asset and process safety information you should have to safely and reliably operate your facility and the data and documents you actually have. The first step in controlling it is recognizing where it’s coming from so you can stop the bleeding. But that alone won’t cut it.…

Years ago, I was part of a team investigating an incident at a plant shortly after commissioning. An emergency lubrication system on a steam-turbine-generator of 50MW failed. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the whole unit had to be shut down. Unfortunately, the “blame game” started between the owner, lead-contractor and equipment provider resulting in…