Date: |
07 Oct 2026, 12.00PM – 1.00PM |
duration: |
1 hr |
Location: |
Online |
Cost: |
Free event |
Engineering disasters are rarely caused by a single failure. They often result from a combination of technical issues, missed warning signs, flawed assumptions, unmanaged risks and organisational pressures.
In this webinar, Geo Grobbelaar reviews seven of the world’s most consequential engineering disasters from the past 150 years. The case studies span ships, storage tanks, bridges, chemical plants, structures and dams across three continents. Looking beyond the immediate causes, Geo will explore the recurring patterns that allowed small defects to develop into catastrophic failures. These include warning signs that went unheeded, assumptions that did not reflect real conditions, changes that had unintended consequences, known risks that were not adequately managed, and organisational pressures that overrode sound engineering judgement.
The webinar will draw practical lessons from these events and consider the questions engineers and asset managers should ask when assessing risks, managing change and making decisions that affect the safety and performance of engineering assets.
Presenter Bio
Geo Grobbelaar is the Sector Lead for Tanks and Terminals at Worley New Zealand and has more than 19 years’ experience in the hydrocarbons industry. He holds degrees in industrial engineering and engineering management, with expertise in project, portfolio, contract and engineering management.
Geo leads the Worley team delivering maintenance and improvement projects for New Zealand Oil Services Limited and Channel Infrastructure at terminals around the country. He also connects Worley’s global network of tanks and terminals professionals to share knowledge and technical expertise.
Explore seven consequential engineering disasters from the past 150 years, spanning ships, storage tanks, bridges, chemical plants, structures and dams. Geo Grobbelaar will examine the recurring factors behind these events and draw out practical lessons that engineers and asset managers can apply to identify risks, respond to warning signs and support sound engineering decisions.
Engineering disasters are rarely caused by a single failure. They often result from a combination of technical issues, missed warning signs, flawed assumptions, unmanaged risks and organisational pressures.
In this webinar, Geo Grobbelaar reviews seven of the world’s most consequential engineering disasters from the past 150 years. The case studies span ships, storage tanks, bridges, chemical plants, structures and dams across three continents. Looking beyond the immediate causes, Geo will explore the recurring patterns that allowed small defects to develop into catastrophic failures. These include warning signs that went unheeded, assumptions that did not reflect real conditions, changes that had unintended consequences, known risks that were not adequately managed, and organisational pressures that overrode sound engineering judgement.
The webinar will draw practical lessons from these events and consider the questions engineers and asset managers should ask when assessing risks, managing change and making decisions that affect the safety and performance of engineering assets.
Presenter Bio
Geo Grobbelaar is the Sector Lead for Tanks and Terminals at Worley New Zealand and has more than 19 years’ experience in the hydrocarbons industry. He holds degrees in industrial engineering and engineering management, with expertise in project, portfolio, contract and engineering management.
Geo leads the Worley team delivering maintenance and improvement projects for New Zealand Oil Services Limited and Channel Infrastructure at terminals around the country. He also connects Worley’s global network of tanks and terminals professionals to share knowledge and technical expertise.
