
Hazardous Area Safety Podcast
By Zero Industries
Each episode offers insights for engineering managers, safety professionals, and business leaders in high-risk industries. We unpack regulatory compliance, discuss real-world case studies, and share actionable advice to enhance your operations.
Join us as we forge a path to safer, more innovative workplaces.
Tune in and be part of the safety revolution!


Hazardous Area Safety Podcast #13 Mark Ah Chow
Building Trust in Hazardous Areas with Mark Ah Chow
Join Travis Stewart as he sits down with electrical industry veteran Mark Ah Chow for an insightful conversation about the evolution of hazardous area safety and the importance of relationships in engineering.
With decades of experience across major industry players, Mark shares candid insights on:
- How trust and human connection drive technical excellence
- The real impact of AI on engineering safety standards
- Why the fundamentals of safety haven't changed, but our approach must
- Building lasting client relationships in a post-COVID world
A must-listen for safety professionals, engineers, and anyone navigating the intersection of technology and human expertise in high-risk environments.

Hazardous Area Safety Podcast #12 Furat Dawood - Hydrogen Society of Australia
Join host Travis Stewart as he sits down with hydrogen expert Dr. Furat Dawood to explore the transformative potential of hydrogen in our energy future.
Discover how this versatile element is changing clean energy solutions, the safety considerations that professionals need to understand, and the regulatory landscape shaping its implementation.
Dr. Dawood shares valuable insights on community education, investment challenges, and practical applications across industries.
Whether you're a safety professional, industry leader, or simply curious about sustainable energy solutions, this episode offers knowledge about hydrogen's role in creating a safer, greener future.
#Hydrogen #Safety #RenewableEnergy #HazardousArea

Hazardous Area Safety Podcast #11 Aaron Drew - Imperium Engineering
Join Travis Stewart in this episode of the Hazardous Area Safety Podcast as he sits down with Aaron Drew, Engineering Manager at Imperium Engineering.
Aaron shares his unique journey from a military career to the complex world of hazardous area engineering, revealing the challenges and triumphs along the way.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Aaron's transition from military to civilian engineering.
- The role of education in hazardous area safety.
- The knowledge gaps and regulatory challenges within the mining industry.
- The development of TotalEX, a revolutionary software solution designed to streamline compliance and enhance safety management.
- The importance of vendor accountability and smart project planning in hazardous environments.
Aaron's passion for teaching and sharing knowledge shines through as he discusses the future of hazardous area management and the necessity for improved practices across industries.
Whether you're an engineer, safety professional, or simply interested in the complexities of hazardous environments, this episode offers valuable insights and practical takeaways.
Listen now to learn how to navigate hazardous areas with expertise and confidence!

Hazardous Area Safety - #10 Nigel Cann, ARUP
In this episode, Nigel Cann shares his journey from a chemical engineer to a process safety specialist at Arup.
He discusses the evolution of process safety as a discipline, the importance of safety cases, and the cultural shifts within organisations that enhance safety management.
Nigel also delves into the challenges and opportunities in the renewable energy sector, particularly hydrogen development, and reflects on the future of sustainability in engineering.

Hazardous Area Safety - #8 Milan Raicevic & Vince Pacecca RMT
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Milan Raicevic and Vince Pacecca from RMT as we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and chemical safety management.
From astrophysics to sports science, discover how diverse backgrounds contribute to innovative safety solutions.
Learn about the practical applications of AI in risk management, the role of human oversight, and how technologies like RAG are transforming regulatory compliance.
Essential listening for safety professionals interested in the future of hazardous area management.

Hazardous Area Safety - #7 Geoff Lobegeier PILZ
Join us for an insightful conversation with Geoff Lobegeier from PILZ, a veteran in electrical safety and training.
This episode explores the evolution of safety standards, the importance of practical competency over paper certification, and the future of industrial safety.
Whether you're a safety professional, engineer, or industry leader, this discussion offers valuable perspectives on creating safer workplaces through effective training and standards implementation

Hazardous Area Safety - #6 Chris Cloney, Dust Safety Professionals
The Human Factor in Combustible Dust Safety: Insights from Chris Cloney
Join host Travis Stewart as he explores the world of combustible dust safety with expert Chris Cloney.
Discover how human awareness shapes safety compliance, the importance of dust containment studies, and the role of simulation in risk assessment.
Learn about the ROI of safety measures and why creating internal standards can revolutionise your safety culture.
Whether you're in industry, safety management, or engineering, this episode offers practical insights to enhance your approach to hazardous area safety.

Hazardous Area Safety - #5 Michael Marrington, IndEx
Join host Travis Stewart as he explores the critical world of hazardous area safety with expert Michael Marrington.
Uncover the importance of electrical inspections, quality control, and competence in preventing disasters.
Learn about cultural differences in electrical training, the role of bonding and grounding systems, and why practical experience is non-negotiable for engineers.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in hazardous area operations or electrical safety.

Hazardous Area Safety - 4 Chris Dolman, BOC
In this episode of Hazardous Area Safety, host Travis Stewart speaks with Chris Dolman from BOC about the complexities and challenges of introducing hydrogen technology in the decarbonisation landscape.
They discuss Chris's background, the role of BOC in the hydrogen sector, the regulatory challenges faced due to varying standards across states, and the importance of pragmatic approaches to decarbonisation.
The conversation also touches on the perception of risk associated with hydrogen technologies, the need for real-world data in decision-making, and the upcoming conference insights.

Hazardous Area Safety - 3 Derek Cross, GEXCON
In this episode of Hazardous Area Safety, Travis Stewart interviews Derek Cross, team lead at Gexcon Australia, about his journey into process safety and the evolution of safety culture in the industry.
Derek shares insights on the importance of leadership in fostering a safety culture, actionable steps for integrating safety practices, and the challenges of overcoming resistance to change.
He emphasizes the significance of storytelling in safety, the human factors in process safety design, and discusses the future of hydrogen safety and risk assessment.

Hazardous Area Safety - 02 Steve Emery, Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety WA
In this conversation, Travis Stewart and Steve Emery discuss the role of regulators in ensuring safety in hazardous areas. They highlight the importance of collaboration between regulators and industry professionals to achieve the common goal of safety.
They also emphasize the need for a proactive approach to safety and the importance of understanding the human element in safety management.
They discuss the challenges of training and competence in the hydrogen industry and the need for a comprehensive understanding of the risks associated with hydrogen.
The conversation focuses on the pressure faced by organisations to perform and deliver a return on investment, which can lead to safety risks and complacency.
Site managers are caught between the demands of production and safety, often facing resistance from management and maintenance staff.

IDC Conference Highlights 2 - Furat Dawood
Dr. Furat Dawood presented a case study on a standalone hybrid PV, hydrogen power system for homeland communities in regional Western Australia.
The project aimed to explore the application of hydrogen and determine the most reliable and feasible use of renewable energy in the community.
The system included a PV array, desalination plant, electrolyser, fuel cell, and battery.
The feasibility spreadsheet showed the costs and energy savings of different options, including relying solely on renewables or using a hybrid mixture.
The presentation clearly demonstrates the role of hydrogen in decarbonisation and its potential as part of a larger renewable energy strategy.

Hazardous Area Safety #1 - Cem Novella
Summary
The conversation covers various topics related to the electrical and hazardous industries.
The speakers discuss the challenges of bridging the gap between electrical and hazardous industries, the different definitions of hazardous areas in Australia and New Zealand, the importance of standards and regulations, the difficulty of getting new blood into the regulatory space, and the upcoming IDC conference.
Overall, the conversation highlights the need for collaboration, education, and a shift in approach to address the complexities of the electrical and hazardous industries.
Takeaways from the Podcast
- There is a gap of knowledge between the electrical and hazardous industries that needs to be bridged.
- Different states and territories have different definitions of hazardous areas, which can create confusion and inconsistency.
- Getting new blood into the regulatory space is challenging and requires a shift in approach.
- Collaboration and education are key to addressing the complexities of the electrical and hazardous industries.