Andy

Organisation: AB Risk Limited
Role: Consultant and Director

I am self-employed working in risk consultancy, specialising in process safety and human factors mainly in oil, gas, chemical and power industries.

Qualifications

Chemical Engineering BSc from Loughborough University. PhD from Edinburgh University. 

Career journey

My whole career after completing my PhD has been as a Process Safety Consultant.  

At the beginning of my career I worked for a small, specialist company for 6 years. I then moved to a larger, more general engineering consultancy for 3 years. I have now been self-employed for 15 years. 

Some of the key projects I have worked on include the new oil refineries in the Middle East, writing guidance for regulators and industry bodies, creating emergency response plans for multi-national companies, and creating culture change at old, established sites. 

What are your favourite parts of working in engineering

The opportunity to work with a mix of science and practice.I enjoy thevariety anddealing with issues that few other people have skills to handle. 

Typical work week

Before Covid, I would be visiting sites 2-3 times a week. This has now been replaced with MS Teams calls. When I am not visiting sites or in meetings, I am writing reports and proposals.  

I work with a range of other people such as process operators, plant managers, and safety advisors as part of my role. 

Academic knowledge and skills important to your role

  • Chemical engineering process.   

  • Hazards of chemicals and energy sources.   

  • Materials.   

  • Process control. 

  • Project management.   

  • Succinct report writing.   

  • Being systematic and objective. 

Predictions for 50 years' time

Here are some of my predictions for the future: 

  • Energy sources will be far more diverse.  

  • More emphasis on reducing consumption of energy, chemicals etc.  

  • More use of waste.