AbstractSafety in the field of chemical engineering. This article discusses whether the risks involved in technology have increased, why such severe criticism is expressed concerning safety in plants, and whether there has been any change in the criteria that the public applies to safety. The accident statistics of the employers' association indicate the improvements in safety that have been achieved and by no means suggest any increase in the risks involved. The reason for the frequent and severe criticism of safety appears to be a widespread ignorance of production processes and a mistrust that evolves from such ignorance. Thus it is necessary to provide the public with still more and still better information. For this purpose the chemical industry needs an unbiased press that strives for impartiality. Among the criteria applied nowadays, a consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of a technical development is frequently lacking and a trend towards forecasting methods can be ascertained. The chemical industry is prepared to provide frank information and to engage in an objective discussion of safety topics.