We engineers understand the concept of deviation from the norm. While a process and all its steps have been worked out, it is second nature for engineers, workers, businesspeople, etc. to gradually introduce shortcuts, “improvements”, “innovations” to the procedures. Next thing you know, the process has changed with or without the approval of those tasked with maintaining it.

I observed this once a couple of decades ago. I was performing an air emissions inventory for a major chemical manufacturer. I was given the recipes of some of the compounds they were manufacturing. I analyzed the equipment, chemicals, processes, etc. to estimate which emissions at which steps from which equipment at which rate. Things were going well and I was developing the emissions profile for a certain 100+- step process. I went into the production area with my recipe to confirm what was going on. When I discussed the steps with some of the workers, they quickly pointed out that many of the steps of the recipe had been changed. It was no longer current. They were changed for various reasons (they wanted a step to proceed faster, they wanted to save water or other chemical usage, etc.), but were changed without telling management. The yields of the compounds were still good and nobody in Management suspected a thing. I informed Management who investigated and saw that major changes had been made. They turned out not to cause any significant change in quality or yield, but certainly upset a lot of people that changes were made out of convenience without informing supervisors. Deviation is a normal process but should not be a habit.

So when performing any function, new project, etc. be careful to stick to the plan. There is method to what might appear to be madness. If you object or believe an alternative way would benefit the company, tell your managers and clearly communicate your hopes and concerns. Don’t just make changes on your own, even if they appear to be “innocent” ones or merely tiny deviations from the steps.

Why do I point this out? Our lives have changed because of COVID-19. It is now pretty established what we must do to protect ourselves and our communities: in public, wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth; social distance, where possible; and wash hands and disinfect surfaces often with soap- or alcohol-based cleaning products. But again, with anything that is done repetitively over time, there is the temptation to make a few changes, import some short cuts, let one’s guard down, say it is all right to not wear my mask this one time. This is not good. Unlike a minor change that may have no effect on the process, a minor change that introduces the coronavirus into your body can be deadly – not just to you, but to others, as well.

And don’t forget, the coronavirus does not have a brain. It cannot be cowered or shamed by a politician. It does not say “You’re careless, but you are nice, so I won’t enter your body.” It doesn’t give mulligans. While we can analyze a chemical or other process and evaluate the effects of changes, one deviation in practice can be fatal for the coronavirus.

Be careful and safe everybody and don’t let down your guard!

CCES has the experts to help you plan to address health & safety issues and energy and environmental issues of all types for your company, building, and space. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.