Process Safety conference celebrates 20 years

An IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers) product story

Edited by the Processingtalk editorial team Nov 20, 2007

One of the leading Process Safety international conferences celebrates its twentieth anniversary next year, and will stage its biggest event yet in Manchester, UK from 14-17 April 2008

Hazards XX takes place at the University of Manchester, UK on 14-17 April 2008 and the symposium, first staged in 1960, includes speakers from throughout Europe, China, Australia, USA and Saudi Arabia.

Organised by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) North West Branch, the theme of the event is 'Harnessing Knowledge - Challenging Complacency'.

Mike Adams, one of the event organizers said: "Things have changed a great deal since the first event over 40 years ago, but Hazards remains a popular and thought-provoking gathering that always attracts a global audience.

At Hazards XX, we're paying particular attention to how our current knowledge can be best applied to emerging industries and economies.

We're also looking at how the concerns surrounding global warming have given new impetus to the development of new technologies, whilst ensuring that the lessons we have acquired in the past don't result in the same old mistakes being made over again".

Key papers will include a plenary paper by the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (authors of the Baker report on the Texas City incident), two papers highlighting the process and safety aspects of the Buncefield incident, two papers on process safety performance indicators , an industrial paper on the selection of risk control measures, 16 papers by the UK regulators (HSE, HSL and Environment Agency), and a presentation by safety expert, Professor Trevor Kletz about accidents of the next 15 years.

There will also be a special plenary showing on the last day of the conference (17th November) by Centrica Storage of their DVD "Incredible" on the Rough 47/3 Bravo platform fire and evacuation incident, successful recovery, and the lessons learned.

Centrica Storage will arrange for application forms to be handed out to all delegates on 17th November for a free copy of this remarkable DVD - all they ask is for a donation to the RNLI.

All delegates will also receive a complimentary IChemE CD containing every paper presented at Hazards since its launch over 45 years ago.

For more information about the event, please visit the website.