The inaugural Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Process Safety Conference has opened aiming to shape the future of process safety in the region, foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. 

 

Taking place from October 7 to 10 at the King Abdullah Cultural Center, Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, the conference addressed the theme “Enabling Process Safety Leadership: Enriching Knowledge, Catalysing Commitment”. 

 

Following two full-day workshops on October 7 packed with in-depth knowledge on process safety, operational excellence and the first of its kind “Process Safety by Frontlines” programme, the conference kicked off with Opening remarks by Abdullah Hassan Al Qahtani, Chief Engineer, Process Risk Management, Sabic, and Chairman, Gulf Process Safety Network, GPCA. 

 

Vital initiative

Al Qahtani said: “The Gulf Process Safety Network (GPSN) is a vital initiative by GPCA, dedicated to fostering a robust process safety culture and enhancing knowledge in our region. I am thrilled to see the first edition of this conference, where we were able to introduce a much-needed session, highlighting the invaluable contributions of frontline workers to process safety.”

 

He continued: “Through the powerful stories shared by seasoned frontline workers and process safety survivors, coupled with insights from industry leaders, we have gained crucial knowledge. We hope this sets a precedent for other associations and safety organisations to follow, giving well-deserved recognition to those on the frontlines who safeguard our operations and, ultimately, save lives. This is the transformative conversation that the industry has been waiting for, and we are proud to lead it.”

In his welcome address, Eng Khalid Al-Salem, President of The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, emphasised four key areas for advancing process safety. He highlighted the growing importance of maintaining the reliability of aging plants and equipment, leveraging digitalisation as a significant opportunity to enhance monitoring and safety in industrial zones, and focusing on human capital as the critical success factor through continuous knowledge sharing and development. He also warned against the dangers of overconfidence, stressing that safety must remain a priority regardless of expertise. Lastly, he called for integrating insights from events like these into educational programmes to better equip future generations.

 

Abdulrahman Ahmed Shamsaddin, EVP, Manufacturing, Sabic; Brian Ablett, Asia Pacific & Middle East Regional Director, ExxonMobil; and Shakeel Kadri, Executive Director & CEO, Centre for Chemical Process Safety, each delivered a Keynote address, in which they shed light on the importance of process safety in shaping a more compliant, sustainable and safer industry future. 

 

Executive dialogue

Following the Opening session, panelists Abdulrahman Ahmed Shamsaddin, EVP, Manufacturing, Sabic; Eng Yasser Abdulrahim Alabbasi, CEO, GPIC; Brian Ablett, Asia Pacific & Middle East Regional Director, ExxonMobil; and Stephen J. Klejst, Executive Director, Investigation & Recommendation, US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), participated in an Executive dialogue on process safety leadership and culture.

 

Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, commented: “As the chemical industry in the region adopts new processes and technologies to improve its Environment, Health, Safety and Security (EHS&S) standards, it continues to focus on sharing knowledge, upskilling its employees – from shopfloor workers all the way to senior leadership – and raising awareness on the role of process safety leadership in mitigating reputational risk, saving lives and protecting the environment.”

 

He added: “Platforms, such as the inaugural GPCA Process Safety Conference, are the culmination of years of hard work by the Gulf Process Safety Network, and I am particularly pleased to see it being well received by the process safety community here in the Arabian Gulf, attracting leaders from across the region and the globe. Gatherings like these are a vital tool to elevate the industry’s process safety performance and position it at the forefront of the industry agenda and I look forward to engaging with delegates and take away more valuable insights.”--TradeArabia News Service