Overview

IChemE Tyneside Member Group cordially invite you to their process safety forum to engage with industry experts to discuss on Emergency Response.Emergency response is a core competency for chemical engineers working in high-hazard industries. It extends well beyond procedural awareness and requires a solid understanding of fire and explosion phenomena, toxic release behaviour, battery thermal runaway, and the engineering systems designed to detect, control, and mitigate such events.

A chemical engineer must be able to interpret fire and gas detection systems, understand alarm management principles, assess consequence scenarios, and support emergency shutdown and escalation strategies. In regulated environments such as the UK under DSEAR and COMAH, this knowledge is not optional—it underpins safe design, operational resilience, and regulatory compliance. Take part in this forum to learn from the experts, understand the industry best practices.

This event is especially relevant for engineers who have to stratergise and design emergency response systems.

Discussion Themes:

• A Case Study on Emergency Response
• Fire Strategies for Complex Processes
• Emergency response to Battery Fires 

Speakers

Martin Swainston, Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Manager, Natara Global

Martin is an experienced Manager with a demonstrated history of working in industry & management consulting. Skilled in ISO 14001, 18001, 9001, 45001 Emergency Management, Environmental Awareness, Safety Management Systems, and Root Cause Analysis. Strong professional focused in Environment, chemistry & process safety.

Dr. Andrew Hallgarth, Managing Director and Principal Consultant, ADH Risk Limited

Andrew has worked in the fields of Process Safety, Loss Prevention and Risk Management for over 20 years, and his PhD was in Gas Explosion Loading of Structures.

Andrew has conducted consultancy, accident investigation, testing and provided training projects for a range of clients in oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, defence, metal manufacturing, power & energy production, new and renewable energy including biogas & biomass, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, mining, marine and other heavy industries as well as certification and guidance bodies.

Andrew's particular experience in process safety engineering including, but not limited to, Quantitative Risk Assessments (QRAs), Consequence and Frequency Analysis, Process Hazard Assessments (PHA) such as HAZIDs, HAZOPs, LOPAs, ETA and FTA Studies, IPL/SIL Determination, ALARP demonstrations and SEVESO/COMAH Safety Case Production.

Andrew has also provided training courses and lectures on a number of safety related topics, in the UK, EU and Globally.

Stephen Beedle, Principal Process Safety Consultant, Tuv Rheinland

Steve has spent early part of his career as a Chemical Engineer working in the design and operation of high hazard chemical and petrochemical plants. During this time he developed a strong interest in process safety so went back to university to gain an M.Sc focused in Process Safety and Loss Prevention from Sheffield University. On moving into a Process Safety Consultant role he has been able to work in many interesting places around the world and also in many varied industries including metals, pharmaceuticals, mining, chemicals, oil and gas. He notes interestingly, how easily transferrable process safety techniques and learnings are between all of these industries.

The material presented has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenters' own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Tyneside Member Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

Your details may be passed on to the venue for booking purposes.

Time

14:00 - 17:00 GMT.