The webinar was the Pharma Subject Group's first online meeting and more than 80 delegates attended the event. Plumb's webinar examined the impact of IEC standards on the classification of hazardous areas for gases and dust and how to carry out a Hazardous Area Classification. 

Plumb has had more than 35 years' experience in fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and more recently biopharmaceuticals. A detailed understanding of the use of equipment in potential explosive areas has been a theme throughout his career, with early work involving ethylene oxide followed by more conventional solvents and more recently with a wide range of explosive powders.

IChemE technical policy manager, Sam Turney said: "IChemE Subject Groups have members based all over the world and it's important that all members can fully benefit from being part of a professional group like this. Webinars like this one make that possible and the ideas explored in Keith's webinar are now being discussed in the IChemE Linked In group forums in more detail."

The Pharma Subject Group brings together an international pool of chemists, chemical engineers and pharmacists to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the pharmaceutical and bioprocess industries.

A recording of the webinar can be viewed at www.icheme.org/pharma.