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.