Hess Corporation: Process Safety Video

The Problem

Process safety, while vital, is not always widely understood across an organisation. Defined as a disciplined framework for managing the integrity of operating systems that handle hazardous substances, it relies on engineering design, operational controls, and maintenance procedures.

However, most employees who are not directly involved in field operations or environmental health and safety may not understand how their roles intersect with these systems. This disconnect leads to a dangerous assumption: that process safety is someone else’s responsibility.

Hess recognised this internal barrier. There was a strong safety culture in operations, but less clarity for office-based teams. Without a broad, shared understanding of process safety, opportunities for improvement and risk mitigation could be missed.

Hess needed a message that resonated across teams, departments, and geographies.

The Solution

To support this objective, the team developed a concise 2D animated process safety video, created specifically for Hess employees around the world. The video was designed to align with the theme of Global Safety Appreciation Day and highlight the role of process safety across the organisation.

2D Animation Format

The use of 2D animation allowed the creative team to simplify complex ideas and deliver them in a visually engaging format. The animation included workplace scenarios and visual cues that helped illustrate the wider scope of process safety without relying on abstract theory.

Voiceover and Audio

A professional voiceover was used to guide viewers through the video, offering clarity and consistency in tone. Background music and sound effects were included to support the message and bring added energy to the piece without overwhelming the core content.

Message Framing

Instead of focusing exclusively on the field-based aspects of process safety, the film addressed a broader audience by asking the central question: “What does process safety mean to me?” This reframing helped employees see that their individual responsibilities, choices, and awareness contribute to safer operations overall.

Managing Complexity

To make the content accessible, the script avoided dense technical detail. The priority was to deliver a high-level overview that would resonate with both experienced operations staff and those in supporting functions, while still remaining accurate and respectful to the subject matter.

Impact and Outcome

The animation premiered as a centerpiece of Hess’s 2021 Global Safety Appreciation Day. It was distributed globally, reaching employees across operational and office-based environments. Early feedback highlighted several wins:

• High Engagement: Viewership exceeded internal benchmarks within the first week.
• Broadened Awareness: Office-based staff reported a stronger understanding of their influence on process safety.
• Conversation Catalyst: Teams used the film to kick off safety discussions in local meetings and toolbox talks.
• Cultural Alignment: The film’s tone and visual language resonated with Hess’s values, making the message feel authentic rather than instructional.

By using animation to tell a human story about process safety, the campaign helped reposition the topic from a technical concern to a shared responsibility. It acknowledged frontline excellence while inviting broader participation, exactly what the initiative set out to achieve.

Supporting Global Safety Appreciation Day

The animation was developed specifically for Global Safety Appreciation Day, providing a shared resource that could be used across teams and locations. Hess intended the video to serve as a conversation starter, a training support asset, and a way to acknowledge the people who keep operations running safely.

By combining animation with thoughtful scripting and clear narration, the process safety video helped lay the groundwork for future internal discussions and activities related to safety awareness and training.

The Hess – Process Safety Animation project demonstrates the power of creative media to communicate critical ideas across global organisations. By combining clear messaging, emotional tone, and thoughtful production, the film redefined how Hess talks about process safety.

It showed that safety awareness doesn’t begin and end with operations. Everyone has a role. Everyone has influence. And when the message is delivered right, everyone listens.