Mannan set to deliver first Kletz lecture at Hazards 25

A new lecture celebrating the life of process safety pioneer, Professor Trevor Kletz, will be delivered for the first time in Edinburgh, UK at the Hazards 25 process safety symposium.

Organised by The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), the meeting is Europe’s leading annual process safety conference. Hazards 25 provides an international platform for sharing the latest research and lessons learned from process safety successes and failures.

Dr Sam Mannan, from Texas A&M University’s Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Centre will deliver the inaugural lecture during the opening day of the meeting on 13 May.

The programme also features a stimulating line-up of international keynote speakers including: John Bresland, former chairman of the US chemical safety board; Gus Carroll, UK group head of process safety at Centrica; Dirk Roosendans, head of technological risks at Total and Refining Chemicals in Belgium; and IChemE president, Geoff Maitland.

The symposium, which began in 1960 is organised in association with the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Centre. Kletz was a regular contributor from the outset and he remained active professionally until shortly before his death at the age of 90 in 2013.

Mannan said: “Trevor Kletz’ major contribution and lasting legacy in the field of process safety is recognised worldwide. He will continue to inspire generations in academia, industry and government. I’m honoured to provide the inaugural lecture in his memory.”

David Brown, chief executive of IChemE, said: “Last year, the insurance provider Marsh reported that losses exceeding US $34 billion have resulted from the 100 largest accidents in the hydrocarbon industry. Eight new incidents have been added to the list since 2011. This provides a stark reminder of the financial impact of process safety failure.

“To quote Trevor Kletz – ‘if you think safety is expensive, try having an accident.’ Risk can never be completely eliminated, but it’s through conferences like this and similar events in Malaysia and Australia that we can learn from previous experiences and create a safer working environment.”

Hazards 25 includes more than 60 technical presentations from leading industry practitioners including: ABB, Amec Foster Wheeler, AstraZeneca, BakerRisk, E.ON, Exxon Mobil, Health & Safety Laboratory, Scottish Power, Shell, and others; who will share their process safety knowledge. A major exhibition of products and services will run alongside the event.

The event runs from 13—15 May 2015 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Sponsors include ABB, Abbott Risk Consulting, ABS Group, BakerRisk, DNV GL, and MMI Engineering.