Record turnout for sold-out Hazards conference

More than 400 process safety practitioners converged in Manchester, UK this week for the IChemE Hazards 34 conference, with attendees from 37 countries.

The key themes running through this year’s event were:

• identifying and embedding good practice in major hazards management
• the role of executive leadership in managing major hazards
• understanding and managing the challenges and hazard implications of new technologies and applications
• identifying further opportunities for sharing and learning across industries and sectors

Highlights included:

• Marlene Kanga, Chair of the IChemE Safety Centre, delivering the annual Trevor Kletz lecture. Marlene discussed the process safety imperative for a sustainable world
• Fiona Macleod, Professor of Process Safety at the University of Sheffield, UK, who marked the 40^th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster, reflecting on lessons learned and the ongoing issues at the site
• Clint McDonald, VP of Process and Operational Safety at BP, examining safety advancements in the transformation of the fuels value chain
• Andrew Curran, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Health and Safety Executive, who explored new technologies and the energy transition
• Mike Nicholas, Senior Advisor for Climate Change Adaption at the Environment Agency, addressing climate change adaptation, risk assessment, and protection in process safety

A new addition for 2024 was the conference app, enabling delegates to access real-time updates, connect with sponsors and exhibitors, participate in polls, and engage in Q&A sessions.

Eamon Chandler, Chair of the Conference Technical Committee said: "The great thing about Hazards is that attendees leave the event full of fresh ideas and practical insights they can apply in their own day-to-day-work. It’s great to see more and more operating companies represented every year and an increasingly international audience."

Matt Stalker, IChemE Associate Director, said: "The strong delegate turnout and sponsor support at Hazards 34 reflect the sustained recognition of process safety as a critical business priority. As we navigate an increasingly complex landscape, organisations recognise the real benefit that can be derived from sharing lessons learned." 

If you were unable to attend Hazards 34 in person, a subscription to IChemE's Hazards On-Demand portal is the next best thing. Hazards On-Demand provides online access to the valuable process safety knowledge shared at IChemE’s Hazards conferences. There are currently almost 300 presentations to choose from. Presentations and papers from Hazards 34 will be added shortly.

Next year’s Hazards 35 conference takes place on 4-6 November 2025 in Birmingham, UK. Register your interest in attending Hazards 35 at www.icheme.org/hazards35.

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Marlene Kanga, Chair of the IChemE Safety Centre, delivering the annual Trevor Kletz lecture.

What is chemical engineering?

Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, mathematics and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Energy, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the industry sectors and products where chemical engineering plays a central role.

IChemE

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution for the benefit of society. We facilitate the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of around 30,000 members in more than 100 countries. 

We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.