ChemSafe Technical Papers - International Chemical Safety Conference & Exhibition (ChemSafe 25)

This presentation addresses a critical blind spot in industrial safety: the shift from purely physical risk management to Psychosocial Risk Governance. While traditional HSE focuses on tangible assets (ISO 45001), catastrophic process incidents are overwhelmingly traced back to human error—a consequence of fatigue, stress, and poor cognitive resilience. The session will introduce ISO 45003:2021, the international standard mandating the inclusion of psychological health within the safety management system, and address the challenge of scaling its requirements across large industrial workforces. We will demonstrate how Digitalization and Predictive AI act as the essential enablers for ISO 45003 compliance.

Specifically, the presentation will showcase practical applications of utilizing non-sensitive, aggregated operational data (e.g., unplanned overtime, short-term absenteeism) to predict Stress Hotspots and estimate Human Error Probability before an incident occurs. The session concludes with a three-step roadmap for industrial leaders to digitally embed psychological safety, ensuring that a psychologically safe workforce becomes the strongest, most resilient barrier against operational failure.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region experiences water scarcity due to lack of surface water and rapidly depleting groundwater resources, rendering it fully reliant on desalination technologies to provide 99% of the potable water demand. The desalination of sea and brackish water in the GCC region poses many challenges because of the complex water physiochemical properties that are influenced by high salinity and elevated temperature. For instance, predominant desalination technology like Reverse Osmosis (RO) is encountering technical difficulties in removing Boron due to low rejection rates of the standard membranes.

In order to comply with the WHO’s recommended level of 2.4 mg/l and the more strict GCC standards ranging from 5 to 1 mg/l, it is necessary to integrate operational controls, like double pass reverse osmosis systems with specific adjustments of pH levels or utilizing advanced thin filmcomposite membranes.

Furthermore, it is important to manage the development of disinfection byproducts, like Bromate, to maintain water quality and adhere to regulatory guidelines by keeping levels below 10 μg/l. Moreover, the safety standards for microbiological content require no presence of pathogens such as Escherichia coli and total coliform bacteria, by implementing robust biological controls and monitoring routines.

The accessibility to sanitation services in GCC region is at the highest levels globally.

The technologies used for treating both black and grey water are mostly governed by Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) systems, to
ensure the safety of potential reuse and discharges of wastewater effluents.
BNRs are

In high-risk industries, effective emergency management requires more than reactive measures—it demands proactive planning across every stage of an incident’s lifecycle. This presentation explores how organizations can strengthen their approach to managing major emergencies by anticipating hazards, implementing robust prevention strategies, and ensuring that critical barriers are identified, applied, and maintained throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Using the bow-tie methodology as a central framework, the session illustrates how potential threats can escalate into incidents and how preventive and mitigative barriers can be strategically placed and continuously monitored to break this chain. Lessons from historical industrial disasters such as Buncefield and CAPECO will demonstrate how early recognition of risks and diligent barrier management could have significantly reduced consequences.
Attendees will gain insights into integrating proactive planning into design, operations, and organizational culture—ensuring hazards are addressed long before they evolve into emergencies. Visual tools, case studies, and practical examples will highlight how a structured, lifecycle-based approach enhances safety, resilience, and decision-making across complex industrial environments.

Note: This abstract has been developed to provide an overview of the key themes and learning objectives of a 20-minute presentation.

The session provides a comprehensive treatment of investigating chemical processing incidents. It will focus on process-related incidents with real or potential catastrophic consequences, offering on the job information, techniques, and examples to support successful investigations. Additionally, best practices in incident investigation in the chemical process industries are discussed with examples from the industry sector.

In an era marked by unprecedented disruptions, the integration of Business Continuity Management (BCM) and Crisis Management has become essential for organizations striving to maintain resilience and operational stability. This abstract explores the critical relationship between these two disciplines, emphasizing their roles in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from unexpected events.

Drawing on over 20 years of experience in the fields of BCM and Risk Management, this exploration incorporates practical insights and lessons learned, particularly within the context of refinery operations. Business Continuity Management focuses on proactive measures to ensure that essential functions can continue during and after a disruption. It involves risk assessment, business impact analysis, and the development of continuity plans tailored to an organization’s unique needs. Regular testing and updates of these plans are vital to adapt to evolving threats and ensure readiness. The application of BCM within the refinery setting will be highlighted, showcasing how industry-specific challenges are addressed to maintain critical operations.

Crisis Management, on the other hand, deals with the reactive aspects of handling unforeseen events. It requires swift decision-making, clear communication, and effective resource mobilization to mitigate impacts. Establishing crisis management teams and communication protocols is crucial for maintaining control and minimizing damage during high-pressure situations.

The integration of BCM and Crisis Management into a unified strategy enhances organizational resilience. By fostering collaboration across departments and aligning efforts, organizations can ensure a seamless transition from normal operations to crisis response. This holistic approach minimizes disruptions, protects reputations, and supports long-term sustainability.

Furthermore, cultivating a culture of preparedness and adaptability within the organization empowers employees to respond effectively to crises. Leadership plays a pivotal role in promoting this culture through training, awareness programs, and continuous improvement initiatives.

In summary, the integration of Business Continuity and Crisis Management is vital for building resilient organizations capable of navigating uncertainty. By adopting a comprehensive approach to risk management, and leveraging extensive experience in the field, organizations can confidently face challenges and secure their future success.

Safety Risk Management is a systematic process focused on identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards and risks in order to prevent incidents, injuries, and harm within a workplace or operation. It’s a crucial part of a Safety Management System.

Promoting World Class Risk Management Process is a good business and is consistent with many organisations corporate values and their commitment to safety and health.

A healthy and vibrant risk management process is what attracts and keeps people that are committed to what a business stands for and it’s what ultimately attracts and keeps workers, customers and fosters a strong image.

However, many organizations struggle with how to develop and implement strategies to improve the risk management process in their business. A “vibrant” risk management process implies an active, engaged, and effective approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks within an organization or project. It goes beyond a static, checklist-driven process and emphasizes continuous monitoring, adaptation, and learning from past experiences to improve future outcomes.
This session is provide some helpful tips to make up the foundation and Pillars of a vibrant Risk Management Process and to plant the seeds of change in their journey for achieving Safety Excellence.

In today’s dynamic chemical sector, a solid Safety Management System (SMS) is the cornerstone of resilient process safety, essential for safeguarding people, assets, and the environment.

My remarks will demonstrate how a robust SMS establishes clear roles, consistent procedures, and systematic hazard reviews to drive proactive decision-making at every stage of operations.

I will then highlight the critical importance of lessons learned—systematically capturing insights from past incidents to prevent recurrence, refine practices, and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. By empowering frontline teams through immersive training, transparent incident investigations, and visible leadership engagement, organizations can transform hard-won experience into tangible safety gains.

Drawing on recent case studies, I will illustrate measurable benefits such as accelerated root-cause analysis, a marked reduction in repeat incidents, and improved operational reliability.
Anchored in a comprehensive SMS and informed by lessons learned, companies can anticipate challenges, strengthen their safety culture, and sustain high-performance operations over the long term.

Global Industrial Safety Solutions

Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) is all about keeping people safe at work by focusing on what they do every day and helping them make safer choices. It’s like having a teammate who watches out for you, spotting risky moves and cheering you on when you get it right. Rooted in behavioral psychology, BBS encourages noticing habits that could lead to trouble, share feedback, and build a workplace where safety feels natural. From its start in the late 1970s, BBS has grown from simple observation checklists to a dynamic approach blending tech—like apps and wearable sensors with a deeper look at leadership and culture.

Today, it’s evolving with trends like predictive analytics to catch risks early, virtual coaching for real-time support, and a focus on the whole team, not just individuals. Used in places like factories and construction sites, BBS cuts accidents by making safety a shared mission, proving that small changes in how we act can lead to big wins for everyone

This presentation will explore the essential aspects of radiation safety in industrial settings from the perspective of regulatory authorities. Industrial applications of ionizing radiation are crucial for national development, yet they require stringent oversight to ensure the protection of workers, the public, and the environment.

The discussion will detail Bahrain’s national regulatory framework, focusing on the Supreme Council for Environment’s (SCE) mandate, particularly Law No. 7 of 2022 regarding Environment. Key elements will include the rigorous licensing and authorization processes necessary for controlling and tracking radiation sources.
A significant emphasis will be placed on proactive regulatory oversight mechanisms, which are vital for upholding safety standards and preventing incidents. Additionally, the role of regulators in fostering a robust radiation safety culture within industrial organizations will be highlighted.

By illustrating how a vigilant and adaptive regulatory body functions as a cornerstone in safeguarding against radiation hazards, this presentation aims to underscore a collective commitment to promoting sustainable industrial development and maintaining the highest standards of radiation protection.

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