HazardEx - Features

Lessons and challenges in major hazards leadership: a personal perspective

18 July 2019

Jo Nettleton is Deputy Director and Head of Radioactive Substances and Installations Regulation at the UK Environment Agency. In this article, based on her presentation at the Hazardex 2019 Conference, she looks at some of the high hazard incidents that have occurred during her wide-ranging career and reflects on the importance of leadership and collaboration in preventing these incidents. Jo also considers some of the main challenges for the future....
Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems - The risks and how to manage them

17 July 2019

The rapid rise of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS’s) that use Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology brings with it massive potential – but also a significant range of risks. AIG Energy Industry Group says this is one of the most important emerging risks today – and organisations that use this technology must balance the opportunities with the potential downsides....
European pipeline safety and integrity performance in 2017

01 July 2019

Concawe, the European pipeline safety and environmental monitoring organisation, has collected 47 years of spillage data on European cross-country oil pipelines. This article, based on selected sections of Concawe Report 3/19 - 'Statistical Summary of Reported Spillages in 2017', covers the performance of these pipelines in 2017....
Why two-way radios make the perfect safety device

24 June 2019

Intrinsically safe professional mobile radios not only provide highly efficient, instant group communications for industries working with hazardous materials, but also offer multiple safety applications for workers and added-value SCADA capabilities. In this article, Matthew Napier of Hytera Communications (UK) looks at the many benefits and capabilities of explosion-protected two-way radios. ...
What standards and certifications apply to infrared viewing panes?

18 June 2019

This question is frequently asked by clients as they begin to research the utility of infrared inspection windows for their specific application needs. There are many standards and certifications that can apply to infrared viewing panes and this can be very confusing for end users....

Geothermal - the hidden renewable energy resource 17 June 2019

Recent research from the EU Joint Research Council and the International Energy Agency have shed some light on the development of geothermal as a fully renewable energy resource around the world. In this article, Hazardex editor Alan Franck looks at recent progress in this often-overlooked renewable sector, developments in key countries and likely trends for the future. ...

The importance of flowmeter selection to improve process safety 12 June 2019

This article will illustrate the importance of selecting the correct flowmeter to improve process safety. Additional benefits will be outlined.To some extent this simply involves picking the right meter for the job. The first 6 paragraphs do that. It is the last 5 that can really influence process safety and aren’t necessarily considered....

Explosion risk in aircraft maintenance hangars 07 June 2019

Equipment designed for use in potentially explosive environments is often thought to be principally destined for oil and gas industry facilities. In reality, there is a wide range of industries that need such equipment and the aviation sector is a prime example. This article from Italian hazardous area equipment specialist Cortem provides an overview of the principal areas of explosion risk in aircraft hangars during maintenance operations. ...

Hazardex 2019 event review video 06 June 2019

The 2019 event continued the successful model and included workshops, free seminar content, a networking dinner and awards ceremony. All aiming to strengthen and expand the community that looks to the Hazardex website and journal for industry intelligence and information. Contact us for 2020 participation information now!...

Impending machinery changes to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive 05 June 2019

In 2002, the European Union first introduced the RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC – the restriction on hazardous substances in electronic and electrical equipment (EEE), with all applicable products having to pass RoHS compliance since 1 July 2006. However, since 3 January 2013, Directive 2011/65/EU, or RoHS 2, has superseded this. Paul Taylor of TÜV SÜD UK explains the new directive and the major changes it will usher in, with a particular focus on machinery.