Global Speakers

Topic: Use of Robots In Hazardous Environments

Dr Ali Soofastaei is a Research Developer at the Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence at Vale.

He uses innovative models based on artificial intelligence (AI) methods to improve safety, productivity and energy efficiency, and to reduce maintenance costs.

Dr Soofastaei completed his PhD at UQ in the field of AI applications in mining engineering where he led a revolution in the use of deep learning (DL) and AI methods to increase energy efficiency, reduce operation and maintenance costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in surface mines.

Dr Soofastaei has been involved in industrial research and development projects in several industries including oil and gas (Royal Dutch Shell); steel (Danieli); and mining (BHP, Rio Tinto, Anglo American and Vale).

Dr Soofastaei has more than 10 years of academic experience as an Assistant Professor and leader of global research activities. Results from his research and development projects have been published in international journals and keynote presentations; He has presented his practical achievements at conferences in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Dr Soofastaei has published three chapter books and is on contract to write two new handbooks that will be published by Springer and CRC Press. He has also been granted three patents and has developed three software products.

Topic: Robots With Artificial Intelligence To Sort Hazardous Waste

• More than 15 years of experience focus on information security and program management
• Technically skilled on digital forensics and security management of new technologies such as blockchain technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning systems and robotics

Topic: How Melbourne Water Is Using Virtual Reality To Improve Safety Outcomes

• More than 15 years of experience with Melbourne Water
• Her team is responsible for specialised services including Environment & Sustainability, Occupational Hygiene and Process Safety, and the Integration of SHEQ and broader systems
• Experienced Safety Leader with a strong background in Operations. Passionate advocate of generative safety, helping organisations shift from an audit and compliance culture
• Keen focus on Asset Life Cycle Safety, Process Safety and Engineering Safety

Topic: Case Study: How To Keep Its Engineers Safe In Hazardous Work By Using Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) Training

Pradeep Khanna is Executive Director Asia Pacific, Sydney Chapter President & Global Co- Chair Education for the global Virtual Reality Augmented Reality Association. Pradeep is also founding member of IEEE ICICLE X-Reality for Learning and Performance Augmentation SIG & CEO of Global Mindset.

He has 30+ years of executive experience. Pradeep has been a leader for IBM Australia/New Zealand leveraging India, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Egypt, Romania, Brazil & Argentina.

He is Adjunct Professor in Australia, Singapore & India. Pradeep is regular speaker at international conferences including Vancouver, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, San Diego, Beijing, Shanghai, Manila, Melbourne & New Delhi. He is an acknowledged Leader in VR AR XR.

Topic: Innovations And Best Practices In Hazardous Goods Risk Safety Audit And Chemicals Risk Assessment For Job Site Safety

An experienced Health Safety and Environment (HSE) executive with a proven record of taking organisations to the next level in HSE performance. I have built and led large teams of professionals to drive organisational behaviour change and sustained performance improvement through engaging staff at all levels. Delivering results in some of Australia’s best known and most complex organisations based on an ability to design and execute strategy that delivers both safety and commercial outcomes.

Specialties: Safety, Health and Environmental Management.

Topic: Complying To Latest Updates On Australian Dangerous Goods Code Edition 7.7

Jeremy Wolter is the Director of the NTC’s reform maintenance program. The program covers review and refinement of national and model laws to keep them contemporary, and to balance community, jurisdictional and industry needs.

Jeremy played a leading role in achieving ministerial agreement to implement the Rail Safety National Law and Heavy Vehicle National Law national scheme legislation that commenced in January 2013 and February 2014 respectively across participating jurisdictions. Since these laws commenced, Jeremy has been responsible for developing and delivering subsequent amending legislation to ensure they remain contemporary, effective, efficient and continue to meet the needs of stakeholders.

Prior to working for the NTC, Jeremy worked for the Queensland and Victorian state government justice agencies in the strategic and legislative reform areas. Jeremy played a key role in preparing regulatory impact material that underpinned corrective services regulations and other legislative instruments. During his time with the Queensland state government Jeremy also served as a District Court Judge’s Associate.

Jeremy has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in European History and French Language.

Topic: Dangerous Goods Roundtable Discussion

• More than 15 years experience with BHP and experience in mining safety, drilling & blasting and deliver innovative, technical cutting edge solutions to operational issues
• Extensive oerational experience with cutting edge technological projects to deliver operationally ready solution

Topic: Dangerous Goods Roundtable Discussion

Diverse leadership roles over my career have allowed me to successfully drive growth and change agendas across Environmental Infrastructure and Management Consulting.

Skilled in building and transforming businesses/business units within complex operating environments. I drive long term value creation through developing my teams’ culture, cohesion and performance, with a focus on customer experience, efficiency and quality.

At Veolia my role allows me to use my skills in thought leadership, strategy, M&A, complex transactions and operations management. Veolia’s values really resonate with my own commitment to tackling climate change and building a sustainable business that can deliver value to society.

Topic: Best Practices And Innovations On Transport Of Explosive And Flammable Goods

A procurement and Logistics Specialist with over 10 years of experience across a range of industries and categories. I posses extensive experience in dealing with International and Local suppliers.

I have a proven track record of achieving results with significant savings and motivating teams to constantly achieve targets. My work in sourcing and Logistics for the Garment and Packaging Industries has afforded an excellent knowledge of local and international freight and container shipping technicalities while my experience in planning/budgeting has afforded a good knowledge in team management and motivation. Furthermore, my work in Carbon Credit Management and Sustainability has garnered both local and international recognition.

Topic: Dangerous Goods Roundtable Discussion

Since attaining a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) and a Masters in Science Management I have performed a variety of roles within the scientific, manufacturing and import environments, from day-to-day laboratory operations to the development of specialty business and quality management for the import and distribution of chemicals. In addition to the laboratory I have worked on a wide variety of other projects, especially quality management and management system development and administration, including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 and related governance, risk and compliance management systems. I always aim to apply my risk management skills in a way that is both useful and practical.

I am always looking to further develop my career within an environment that allows me to integrate my passions for systems management in a way that helps society. I have a passion for working with management systems and developing them to enhance outcomes, while avoiding the problems of processes for the sake of process. My laboratory operations, management and development experience has given me a set of tools that work well within the quality management environment and can help to ensure that the needs of a diverse range of stakeholders are met.

Topic: Dangerous Goods Roundtable Discussion

• Currently Director, High Risk Dangerous Goods Taskforce with Worksafe Victoria and mainly involved related to DG
• Specialties: Industrial Safety & Safety Management System

Topic: Panel Discussion: Risk Assessment Method For Dangerous Goods In Australasian Tunnels

Highly motivated and experienced professional with a passion for improving processes, safety outcomes and administration of compliance and legislative requirements related to high risk occupational activities, particularly those related to dangerous goods, hazardous chemicals and major incident potential. Committed to building teams and individuals using my leadership and strong interpersonal skills to provide clear and transparent direction, support, coaching and accountability. Having held a variety of positions with both WorkSafe Victoria and industry I am driven to bridge the gap between regulator and duty holder to deliver safe and compliant outcomes for all Victorians.

Topic: Panel Discussion: Building A Sustainable Risk Control In Your Hazchem And Hazmat Control Measures To Minimize The Risk To Health And Safety

Full P&L responsibility for the Manufactured Chemicals Division, supplying chemicals and services to Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and PNG. Commercial leadership of the Manufactured Chemicals Digital Strategy.

IXOM generates $1.2 billion revenue across 16 countries, involving over 1000 employees. In March 2019, Keppel Infrastructure Trust (SGX) acquired IXOM from Blackstone Private Equity based on a A$1.1 billion valuation. Blackstone bought IXOM for $750 million in 2014.

Topic: Transport Of Radioactive Materials And Case Studies

• Senior Advisor – Radiation Protection at the Environment Protection Association of South Australia and the current chair of South Australian Branch of the Australian Nuclear Association (www.nuclearaustralia.org.au/sa-ana/)
• Massey has been a scientific researcher for Generation IV reactor technology and was directly involved with the South Australian Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission

Topic: Illegal Waste Disposal

I believe that society is becoming more complex and that there is a blurring of the lines between what has traditionally been public, government and business responsibilities. I recognise that there is a shared responsibility in everything we do – and believe that all three share a symbiotic relationship. So how do we better work together to create and shape solutions for the challenges we all face?

I’m a passionate, energetic and values driven leader that thrives on tackling problems, creating solutions and bringing others along for that journey.

I have extensive experience in leading the design, implementation and evaluation of government, community and private sector projects and programs. I am an experienced project and program manager, stakeholder engagement expert, with signature strengths in leadership, problem solving, motivating and coaching, and communication. I use these strengths to deliver on organisational outcomes and objectives.

Being an outcome focused team player I adopt a collaborative leadership approach. I am a strategic thinker with a bias for action and delivery that will always look to create opportunities ahead of throwing up barriers.

By ensuring internal and external stakeholder buy in and support, I have a proven track record of working above and beyond my role requirements, which has been recognised consistently by staff, peers, Executives and external stakeholders.

Topic: Using Drones To Monitor Hazardous Environment In improving Site Safety

In the past 22 years I have worked across such diverse industrial sectors as: food production, vehicle manufacturing, utilities, natural resources, oil and gas, logistics, public transport, agricultural and industrial chemicals, metals processing, building products, pharmaceuticals and polymers.

I have accumulated experience in behavioural and process safety consulting, senior management, health and safety leadership, and engineering. My first-hand knowledge has been applied to projects in Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Japan, China, Singapore, PNG, Vietnam and the US, in a number of global organisations.

My work in Safety and Health has seen me implement sustainable, proactive strategies in complex organisations always with a goal of zero workplace injuries and illnesses.

My skills have led me into safety auditing, project management, executive coaching, strategy-setting, and training. The strategies I use in all my work relate to my commitment to proactively bringing about cultural change within organisations, groups or individuals, to move closer to the goal of injury and illness prevention.

Topic: How IoTs Wearables Are Revolutionizing Workplace Safety In Hazardous Environments By Detecting Toxic Gas Leaks

• More than 20 years of experience in Big Data, IOT, Industry 4.0, Data Science, Digital Transformation
• Australia charter for Bigdata, Data Science, IOT, and DigiTx with NTTDATA. Honorary fellow with Deakin’s Applied AI Lab

Topic: Panel Discussion: Building A Sustainable Risk Control In Your Hazchem And Hazmat Control Measures To Minimize The Risk To Health And Safety

• More than 25 years experience in Health, Safety and Environment
• Pacific National is the largest combined rail freight company in Australia (Annual revenue $1.7B) which transports bulk commodities and containerised freight including fuel, waste, chemicals

Topic: The Golden First Minutes Of Chemical Hazmat Incident Response

Expertise:

• PFAS and Firefighting Foam
• Hazmat & Oil Spill Emergency Response – Planning, Management and Training
• Chemical and Industrial Fire Pollutants
• HSE Risk Management
• Adjunct Professor Murdoch University – PFAS and Firefighting Foams subject matter expert adviser
• Adjunct Assoc Professor Curtin University lecturing on Emergency Management
• Policy, Legislative and Strategic Management
• Oil and Gas Environmental Approval and Geophysics
• Geology
• IT and Technology and Commercialization
• Soil Science and Catchment Hydrology
• Public Presentation of Science and Technology
• Business Facilitation and Development

Topic: Dangerous Goods Roundtable Discussion

I am a process design engineer with 12yrs of experience in downstream/upstream processes after having done my Post Graduate from IIT Delhi with specialization in Process Engineering and Design. I also have experience in the areas of Market Research and Market support apart from designing. My core domain has been Oil and Gas sector with exposure to Petrochemical and Refinery processes.

I have also been actively participating in Safety Studies currently and have undertaken Fire Safety Study, Hazardous Area Classifications and HAZOP’s.

Specialties: My technical expertise include simulation using HYSYS, thermal design using HTRI and TASC, line sizing, safety valve calculations, pump calculations, vessel design etc. DIspersion modelling and fire safety study using PHAST.

Topic: Case Study: Innovations In Explosives Handling And Mine Safety In Australia – Strategies To Countermeasure Unexpected Mining Incidents And Accidents

Ardi is a Chartered Chemical Engineer graduated from Monash University. He completed MBA and Master of Technology Management specializing in Project Management.

He is currently working at Melbourne Water as MHF & Risk Specialist. Previously, he has worked at Orica Mining Services as Asia Senior Technical Superintendent based in Newcastle, NSW and in Singapore responsible for providing technical support and expertise over 50 sites operations in Australia/ Asia region including Malaysia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Philippines, HK, China and Mongolia.

Over 8 years of professional experience in chemical manufacturing, explosives and mining industries; Ardi has worked in a broad array of jobs as a Safety, Health and Environmental Advisor, Process Risk Specialist Australia/Asia, Technical Superintendent South East Australia and Process Engineer at an Ammonium Nitrate (AN)Manufacturing Plant at Kooragang Island in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Orica is a global market leader of chemical manufacturing and provider of commercial blasting explosives & blasting services with 15,000 employees across 6 continents in 50+ countries.

Topic: Case Study: Innovations In Explosives Handling And Mine Safety In Australia – Strategies To Countermeasure Unexpected Mining Incidents And Accidents

Topic: Most Promising Technologies: Innovations In Hazardous Chemicals Detection Sensors, Pressure Gauges And Cargo Monitoring

• More than 15 years of experience in Applications Delivery expert and Business Process Improvement specialist
• Lead the inception, development and embedment of Digital strategies for large capital expansion projects for BHP globally

Topic: International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) And IATA Hazardous Goods Code Usage and Approval: What Shippers And Carriers Need To Know On Latest Changes