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The full conference programme will be published in the coming weeks.
Please be assured that the 2025 agenda will once again bring you in-depth content and relevant topics supported by meaningful business advice. The conference theme of “Managing Engineering Excellence: Safety and Integrity Challenges since 1950” will be fully explored by a roster of industry experts.
Delegates can look forward to a series of thought-provoking papers focused on a diverse range of issues such as:
- Machine learning and AI in NDT
- Human Factors and Safety Management Systems
- Behaviours that deliver process safety leadership
- Alarm Management
The programme will also provide ample opportunity to participate in lively debate in the form of interactive workshops, which will be centred on a choice of three conference streams:
- Leadership
- Mechanical, Pressure and Structures
- Electrical, Instrumentation and Control
Day One - Wednesday 26 March 2025
| Time | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 - 11:00 | Registration, Professional Networking, Exhibition |
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| Opportunity to visit the exhibitor stands and catch up on what’s happening in your industry | ||
| 11:00 - 11:10 | Welcome |
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| 11:10 - 12:00 | Plenary 1: Action beyond compliance: A survivor of the 1988 Piper Alpha disaster | |
| 12:00 - 12:50 | Breakout sessions - A | |
(A1) The Regulator's expectations of Leaders of High Hazard Installations |
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| This presentation will explore the pivotal role that leaders play in maintaining safety standards within the UK’s high hazard industry. The presentation will delve into the expectations set by regulators for high hazard installations (e.g. COMAH tier sites), emphasizing leadership’s accountability in risk management, regulatory compliance, and fostering a safety-first culture. | ||
(A2) Management of defined life Repairs: A lifecycle guide |
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| This presentation offers a comprehensive look at the best practices for lifecycle management of defined-life repairs, based on guidance from EEMUA. It will highlight key principles from EEMUA’s publication, including assessing repair needs, implementing appropriate temporary solutions, monitoring repair integrity, and planning for permanent fixes. | ||
(A3) Ageing Plant - Safety critical elements and life extension of electrical components |
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| This presentation addresses the challenges and strategies involved in managing the electrical components of ageing industrial plants. The focus will be on maintaining the integrity of safety-critical electrical elements and exploring options for extending the operational life of these systems. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for assessing the condition of electrical infrastructure, implementing preventative maintenance, and making informed decisions on upgrades or replacements. | ||
| 13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch |
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| 14:00 - 14:50 | Breakout sessions - B |
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(B1) Polar Opposite Workstyles and how to accommodate them |
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| This presentation sheds light on the diverse workstyles of individuals and the impact of office culture on their productivity and well-being. It will explore strategies for creating an inclusive work environment that supports varied cognitive needs. Key focus areas include recognising different workstyles, implementing flexible work policies, effective communication, personalized support mechanisms, and promoting neurodiversity to enhance team collaboration and overall workplace harmony. | ||
(B2) Factors to consider when managing the mechanical integrity of dead legs on industrial facilities |
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| This 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 insights 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. | ||
| (B3) 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. | ||
| 15:00 -15:50 | Breakout sessions - C |
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(C1) Preparing leaders for the energy transition: Adjusting to challenges |
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| This presentation zeroes in on the critical role of leadership in guiding end users through the energy transition. The speaker will share the importance of resilient leadership to overcome regulatory hurdles, mitigate operational risks, and drive sustainable practices to achieve a smooth and effective energy transition. | ||
(C2) Bolted Joints - The journey to bolt integrity management |
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| This presentation delves into the critical importance of ensuring bolt integrity from a global onboarding perspective. Attendees will gain insights into adopted practices, common pitfalls, and innovative solutions in bolted integrity management. Key focus areas include effective monitoring and maintenance strategies, and the importance of a proactive approach to bolted joint integrity to prevent failures and enhance safety. | ||
(C3) Alarm Management - EEMUA 191 |
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| 15:50 - 16:10 | Break & Networking |
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| 16:10 - 17:00 | Plenary 2: Internal culture and the effect on work and wellbeing: The connection between them | |
| This presentation explores how an organisation’s internal culture profoundly influences both the quality of work and the well-being of its employees. It will focus on the ways in which a positive, inclusive and supportive culture can enhance productivity, job satisfaction and mental health. Attendees will gain insights into creating environments that foster engagement and motivation, and learn about the detrimental effects of toxic cultures. | ||
| 17:00 - 18:00 | Mezzo plenary
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| Professional Networking and visiting exhibitor stands | ||
| 18:30 - 19:00 | EEMUA Council Reception |
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| 19:00 - 19:30 | Event Reception |
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| 19:30 - 21:30 | Dinner & Networking |
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| 21:30 - 22:00 | Entertainment |
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| 22:00 - 24:00 | Drinks at the bar |
Day Two - Thursday 27 March 2025
| Time | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 - 09:50 | Plenary 3: Challenges with the Energy Transition and Growing Use of the Distribution Network | |
| 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 |
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| 10:10 - 11:00 | Breakout sessions - D |
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(D1) Human Factors: Improving reliability through safety management system |
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| This presentation examines the integration of human factors to enhance reliability in major hazard industries. It will explore how safety management systems can incorporate human factors to minimize errors, optimize performance, and foster a culture of safety. Attendees will gain insights into the interplay between human behaviour and system design, highlighting the strategies to improve operator reliability and decision-making processes. | ||
(D2) Hazardous area inspections: Creeping Change/Issues with Mothballing |
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| This presentation will discuss the challenges of creeping changes and mothballing, highlighting the importance of rigorous inspection protocols and continuous professional development. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for identifying and mitigating risks associated with gradual changes and temporary decommissioning. | ||
(D3) Battery Energy Storage Systems |
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| This presentation delves into the electrical facets of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) technology. The focus will be on the design, operation, and integration of these systems within the power grid. Attendees will gain insights into key electrical considerations, such as battery chemistry, power conversion systems, and grid connectivity. Key focus areas include efficiency optimization, energy management strategies and the role of BESS in enhancing grid stability and reliability. | ||
| 11:10 - 12:00 | Breakout sessions - E | |
(E1) Management of change and project governance |
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(E2) Ageing Plant - Integrity management and life extension of wind turbines |
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| This presentation tackles the pressing challenges of managing ageing wind turbines and explores the end-of-life options. There will be a focus on maintaining mechanical safety-critical elements and strategies for extending turbine life. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for evaluating the condition of ageing turbines, implementing life-extension techniques, and considering end-of-life options such as repowering, refurbishing, or decommissioning. |
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(E3) Electrical Distribution & Electrical Infrastructure - Introduction |
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Sometimes it's useful to step back and look at the wider picture. That's the idea of this session: Electrical Distribution for people who aren't from an electrical discipline, or who are, but simply want to know more. After all, we're talking about the largest electrical machine in Europe. |
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| 12:00 - 13:00 | LUNCH |
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| 13:00 - 13:50 | Breakout sessions - F |
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(F1) Behaviours that deliver the Principles of Process Safety Leadership |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 | Plenary 4: The Impact of AI on industry – have you asked your computer yet? | |
| This presentation explores the transformative influence of AI on organisations, particularly in high hazard industries. It will examine how integrating AI can enhance operational efficiency, decision-making, and innovation, while also highlighting the potential security threats AI poses. Attendees will gain insights into the benefits of AI adoption, including predictive maintenance and automation, as well as the challenges, such as safeguarding against cyber threats and ensuring the robustness of AI systems. | ||
| 14:50 - 15:00 | Staying connected and updated on EEMUA. |
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| 15:00 - 15:15 | Close |