1 February - Dr Barry Chesson AM

The Presentation

This presentation by Dr Barry Chesson AM, will trace the use of poisons in ancient times, through to deadly poisoning practices in the Roman and Renaissance Periods, the gases of WW1 and modern chemical release disasters. The talk will include examples of poisoning of the dark, devious and dastardly kind through to those episodes that have arisen through human error, lack of understanding and/or lack of suitable controls. Sometimes the effect has been on individuals, while on other occasions the impacts have been felt by vast numbers of people.

Presenter

Dr Barry Chesson is now a mostly-retired Managing Director and Principal Consultant of Occupational Hygiene Solutions Pty Ltd. Career highlights have included a long period as Manager - Occupational Hygiene for Alcoa’s WA Operations, a term as Senior Occupational Hygienist with Chevron’s Australian Operations, a current role as Adjunct Associate Professor at Edith Cowan University, a stint as a UN (ILO) Expert in Environmental Toxicology and a long-term role as an Expert Member of the WA Commission for Occupational Safety and Health.