EEMUA Conference 2025

Day Two - Thursday 27 March 2025

Time	Description	Location
09:00 - 09:50	Keynote 3: Challenges with the energy transition and growing use of the distribution network - Anton van Rosmalen, Project Risk Manager, TenneT Offshore GmbH
	This plenary session tackles the complexities of moving away from traditional electricity production towards integrating renewable energy sources into the grid. The focus will be on the challenges of adapting the distribution network to support a sustainable energy future. Attendees will gain insights into the technical, regulatory, and operational hurdles faced during this transition, as well as strategies to enhance grid flexibility and resilience.
09:50 - 10:10	BREAK
10:10 - 11:00	Breakout sessions - D
	(D1) Human factors: improving safety by understanding the human influence on overall system performance
	This presentation examines the integration of human factors to managing safety risks in major hazard industries. It will explore how understanding the factors that influence human reliability and performance can lead to a better understanding of how systems function overall. Attendees will discover how to harness the strengths of human performance, mitigate risks from its limitations, and design systems where human and technical elements work seamlessly together for enhanced safety and efficiency.
	(D2) Factors to consider when managing the mechanical integrity of dead legs on industrial facilities
	The presentation will focus on the critical aspects of maintaining the mechanical integrity of dead legs (sections of piping or equipment not in regular use) highlighting their potential vulnerabilities. Attendees will gain insight into challenging existing assumptions, refining procedural scope, and applying best practices. Key focus areas include risk assessment, regular inspections, and the implementation of monitoring techniques to ensure long-term safety and reliability.
	(D3) The role of machine learning and AI in Non-Destructive Testing
	This presentation will highlight the transformative potential of AI and machine learning in NDT applications. It will explore how these technologies enhance defect detection, data analysis, and predictive maintenance, offering significant improvements in efficiency and accuracy. Attendees will gain insights into practical applications while also discussing the limitations.
11:10 - 12:00	Breakout sessions - E
	(E1) Management of change and project governance
	Management of change (or ‘MoC ) is a key element of an organisation’s process safety management system and correct implementation is essential to maintain safety and to minimise risk. Where ‘MoC’ is not properly implemented then serious incidents, with associated loss of life, have occurred. This session reminds us why ‘MoC’ is so important with a review of key industrial disasters. Current relevant legislation and associated ‘good practice’ is highlighted as are the challenges of aligning project governance with ‘MoC’. The importance of leadership responsibilities and policy ownership are also discussed.
	(E2) Lifetime Extension: Learning from the Process Industries
	Assets operating beyond their original design lives are widespread across the process industries, demonstrating that asset life extension can be done safely and with limited investment required to maintain reliability at acceptable levels. The aim of this presentation is to share with the wind energy sector learning from the oil, gas and chemicals sectors about managing the integrity of ageing assets and extending their lifetimes.
	(E3) Bridging Engineering & Digitalization: How Virtual Plants Enhance Safety, Integrity & Sustainability
	In an era where industries are navigating increasing safety, integrity, and sustainability challenges, digitalization is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. This session explores how Gizil’s Virtual Plant technology is transforming industrial asset management by integrating reality capture, AI, and real-time data to create actionable digital twins. By bridging the gap between engineering and digitalization, Virtual Plants enable safer operations, improved regulatory compliance, and optimized maintenance strategies. Discover real-world applications where this technology has enhanced operational integrity, reduced risks, and contributed to net-zero goals—making industrial plants not just smarter, but also more sustainable and resilient for the future.
12:00 - 13:00	LUNCH
13:00 - 13:50	Breakout sessions - F
	(F1) Process Safety Leadership, Culture and Behaviour
	This presentation focuses on essential behaviours that leaders within organisations should embody to promote a safety-first culture. It will highlight the critical role of leadership in driving process safety, emphasizing behaviours such as proactive risk management, transparent communication, and consistent commitment to safety protocols. Key focus areas include building trust, empowering employees to voice safety concerns, and integrating safety into everyday decision-making processes.
	(F2) Structural integrity management - the importance of effective maintenance of civil infrastructure
	This presentation underscores the critical role of maintaining civil assets in process, industrial, and production environments. It will highlight best practices from EEMUA’s publication 238 on the lifecycle management of civil assets. Attendees will gain insights into strategies for ensuring structural integrity, including regular inspections, preventative maintenance, and timely repairs.
	(F3) Hydrogen safety
	Hydrogen has enormous potential as a fuel: clean, potentially green and energy efficient. However, safe use of hydrogen has long been difficult to ensure - it isn't just like any other fuel. It wasn't such a problem when the group of users was small, technically well-informed, and routinely handled only small quantities. But soon that is likely to change, which means that a far wider community will need to be aware of hydrogen's special properties, the risks which come with them and how to avoid them.
14:00 - 14:50	Keynote 4: Action beyond compliance: a survivor of the 1988 Piper Alpha disaster - Steve Rae, Director, Fortitude
	During his talk Steve recounts his experience from that night on Piper Alpha and shares lessons that everyone involved in Major Hazard Environments can learn from. He brings home, in an extremely impactful manor, how we can influence our worksite safety culture. Steve’s presentation will leave you questioning your own personal contribution to safety. The following quote received by an attendee at one of his talks sums up how his involvement has inspired and motivated others to question their own commitment to safety: “Steve’s talk should be mandatory for all those working in our industry and is the most impactful training experience I have had in my 20-year career”. See here a short video with a message from the man himself.
14:50 - 15:00	Staying connected and updated on EEMUA.
15:00 - 15:15	Close