Chemical Process Safety Engineer | OSHA, Directorate of Enforcement, Office of Chemical Process Safety and Enforcement Initiatives

Keynote Speaker

Presentation Title: Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) results and lessons learned from recent inspections
Speaking Slot: Day 1 / Slot 1

In this keynote presentation Liliana Silvera, Chemical Process Safety Engineer with the OSHA, Directorate of Enforcement, Office of Chemical Process Safety and Enforcement Initiatives reviews the 2023 revised Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) released in January of 2023 (Directive Number: CPL 03-00-008). Liliana will discuss the different elements of the NEP, results from the emphasis program to date, and lessons learned from inspections completed through the NEP over the past year.

Bio:
Liliana Silvera is a Senior Chemical Process Safety Engineer with over 20 years of regulatory and engineering experience in process safety. She works for OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs in the Office of Chemical Process Safety and Enforcement Initiatives. 

With her expertise in OSHA’s Process Safety Management Standard, 29 CFR 1910.119, Flammable Liquids Standard, 29 CFR 1910.106, and Explosives and Blasting Agents, 29 CFR 1910.109, she assists inspectors, federal agencies, and industry stakeholders in ensuring the proper application of safety standards in high-risk sectors.

Her contributions are particularly notable in OSHA’s Combustible Dust and Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Programs, where she provides indispensable technical support. Liliana also assists in incident investigations, especially those involving petroleum refineries, ammonia refrigeration, chemical manufacturing, and combustible dust hazards. Her passion for process safety and analytical approach in these investigations not only helps in understanding incident causes but also in developing strategies to prevent future occurrences.

Liliana also engages with federal agencies (EPA, DOT PHMSA, FERC, ATF) and industry associations, contributing to broader discussions on chemical process safety. Her interdisciplinary approach and ability to work across different sectors demonstrate her commitment to safety and protecting workers in environments with high chemical hazards.