Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham, UK

20th & 21st May, 2026

NEC, Birmigham UK

20th & 21st May, 2026

PANEL SESSION:

Mitigation of Static Ignition Hazards when Handling Solvents and Flammable Liquids

Mitigation of Static Ignition Hazards when Handling Solvents and Flammable Liquids

Overview:
Avoiding static ignition hazards when handling solvents and flammable liquids is one of the biggest safety challenges in chemical operations. Despite these well-known hazards, incidents still occur at sites all over the world, often through the use of inadequate equipment or poor maintenance, underestimation of the hazards, or poor training and understanding of the dangers.

What attendees can expect from the session:

This session will provide insight and practical advice including:


  • Understand how static can accumulate and the dangers of accidental discharge
  • Assess the dangers which can be present within your own practices
  • Sharing of Best Practice on how to dissipate static safely
  • Highlight existing Standards to support Risk Assessments
  • Questions & Answers

Part 1:  Presentation: How static electricity can accumulate and discuss some of the preventative measures that can be taken to avoid accidental discharge.
Speaker: Sean Makin, Regional Sales Manager – Newson Gale


With several years’ experience in the field of static control, Sean Makin, Regional Sales Manager with Newson Gale, will present on how static electricity can accumulate and discuss some of the preventative measures that can be taken to avoid accidental discharge.


Part 2: Panel Discussion: An opportunity for questions and answers will follow the presentation, featuring a panel of experts from SIA Members Newson Gale, EXSolutions and Brenntag

Featured panellists:

  • Laura Burnell, Product Manager EMEA – Innospec
  • James Astley, Sales Director – PH Europe Ltd
  • Karl Shone, Technical Development Manager / European Pipeline Manager – Brenntag
  • Richard Ellis, Business Development Manager – EXSolutions

Speakers:

Laura Burnell

James Astley

Karl Shone

Richard Ellis

Sean Makin