After World War II, the chemical industry expanded rapidly, producing a new generation of plants bigger than before and operating at higher temperatures and pressures. The result was an increase in fires and explosions. In 1960 the North West branch of the Institution of Chemical Engineers held a symposium, one of the first of its kind anywhere in the world, on ways of controlling hazards. Following this successful conference similar events have been held every few years attracting international contributions and delegates.

In addition to the 'Hazards' conferences, papers from which are archived elsewhere on this website, there have been a number of other IChemE symposiums with process safety themes.  This section archives the papers presented at selected symposiums.

Opinions presented in these papers are the presenters' own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Safety and Loss Prevention Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.