Exothermic reactions are the most interesting systems for safety analysis because of their potential safety problems and the possibility of exotic behavior such as multiple steady states. A sensitivity analysis of an exothermic reaction involving the hydrolysis of propylene oxide to propylene glycol in a CSTR with jacket cooling is presented here. The objective of this article is to determine how multiple steady states might arise. A comparison of the static and continuation method of the identification of multiple steady states and their stability is presented. Finally, the implications of safety analysis for operation and control of reactors with multiple steady states are discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All fights reserved.