Profile
Tony Ganner
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About Me:
I live with my wife in Amersham. In my spare time I run a chess club and play chess competitively (I am an average chess player). I also enjoy road cycling and I do a lot of walking in the UK and abroad with my wife.
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As well as playing chess and cycling I also play a lot of (table top) Dungeons and Dragons.
My wife and I met at University.
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My pronouns are:
he/him
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How I use Science in my work:
Science is really important in industry. It is critical to understand the reactivity of chemicals. We use this information to ensure that the storage, handling and processing of chemicals can be done safely to protect the workers, the public and our environment.
What the properties of a chemical is, how it is used and why it needs to be used to make a product is really important. Without this information we can not ensure people will be safe.
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My Work:
I am an Environmental Health and Safety professional.
My main priorities are to ensure that chemical manufacturing processes are (1) Designed to protect workers and the environment and (2) To ensure that they can be operated safely to avoid major accidents like fire, explosions and very damaging spills.
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My work involve understanding the risks associated with operating large chemical processes. We do this be completing risk assessments. In these assessments we identify:
- The hazard – for example a hazardous chemical
- The threats that could cause the loss of control of the chemical – for example over filling a storage tank.
- The safety systems that are used to prevent the threat from causing a loss of control. For example level sensor and automatic system to prevent overfilling a chemical storage tank
- The safety systems that are used to mitigate emergency events – for example an automatic fire protection system – sprays a lot of water to put out a fire.
Once we have the risk assessments, I then help the operators of the chemical process to ensure that all the safety systems that should be in place, are in place and are working correctly.
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My Typical Day:
About three quarters of my time was in spent in meetings helping colleagues around the world. When i was in the office, I would typically work ~40 hours a week. When I am travelling I might work 50-+60 hours, these depends on how far I have to travel (fly).
Approximately 1week a month I travel abroad (mainly USA and Europe) to various chemical plant to help them ensure that they are operating the plant safely. I do this by:
- Walking around the chemical processes
- Talking to the operators, supervisors and engineers to understand the process and how they use it.
- Review the learning from any recent accidents or events.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Assuming that it still exists, arrange to take a group of students to the unclassified museum at the UK Atomic Weapons Establishment (just outside Reading).
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Education:
- Caerleon Comprehensive school (just outside Newport in South Wales).
- University of Surrey (in Guildford) where I did a Chemistry degree.
- Open University for a couple of courses in Statistics
- NCRQ – remote learning for a diploma in health and safety
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Qualifications:
O levels: Maths, physics, chemistry, biology, english language, english literature, history, computer studies, religious education;
AO level: Electronics
A levels: Chemistry; Physics; Mathematics
Degree: BSC Hons: Chemistry
Level 6 Diploma Occupational Health and Safety
Chartered Chemist, member and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
Certified member of the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety
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Work History:
NNC Ltd (Warrington, Cheshire) – Research chemist
NNC Ltd ( AWE Aldermaston, Berkshire) – Repairing and commissioning a radioactive wate water treatment plant
NNC Ltd (Harwell, Oxfordshire) – Decommissioning (taking out of service and dismantling) a radioactive waste water treatment plant
AWE plc (Aldermaston, Berkshire) – Managing radioactive waste from the m UK nuclear weapon program.
Environment Agency – Regulating operational nuclear licensed site – eg nuclear power stations.
GE Healthcare: Part of a global environmental health and safety team. I managed the waste and wastewater programs
GE Corporate: Part of a global environmental health and safety team, I managed the process safety program – that is, made sure that the large chemical plant were safe.
Cytiva (A Biotechnology company) – Environmental and process safety director – I had global responsibility for the environmental protection program and process safety program.
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Current Job:
I recently stopped working for others, to set up my own Business as a freelance consultant. My business is called EHS & PSM Solutions. I aim to give advice and guidance on environmental health and safety to businesses in the UK and around the world.
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Employer:
EHS & PSM Solutions Ltd
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Short, bald Welshman
What did you want to be after you left school?
I wanted to work in the Nuclear Industry
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No not really.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Probably be a project manager
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Marrilion
What's your favourite food?
Spicy food - eg Indian curries
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Be a bit more relaxed and chilled out. Be 40 again!
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