Spotlight on EngTech: Steve Critchlow

As part of what has become a regular feature in Gi, we are asking some of our EngTech members to describe the kind of work they do and how IGEM has supported them in their careers. Steve Critchlow was awarded the institution’s EngTech of the Year award last year. He joined IGEM as an EngTech in 2010 and is now a Fellow member of the institution. Steve is a Gas Safe-registered engineer who works as a Senior Engineer for the Health and Safety Executive’s science division investigating gas-related incidents. In his own words, this is Steve’s story.

I have worked for HSE for over 20 years. Originally my role was solely the technical investigation of gas related incidents, but it has become increasingly broad over the years. The best aspect of my job is that it is very varied but, truth be told, I spend far too long these days at my desk writing reports!

I cover the whole of the UK investigating gas explosions, carbon monoxide incidents and making assessments of poor engineering with gas, oil, solid fuel and biomass installations. This involves an awful lot of last-minute changes of plan and drives across the country at short notice. 

It is incredibly sad to see the devastation caused to people’s lives and businesses by serious incidents, but for me it is a privilege to be able to help those people understand what has happened. I find the science of gas explosions fascinating and fortunately over the years I have been able to build up considerable experience and knowledge. In 2013, I was given police commendation award for my investigation of a child death in an explosion in Oldham. This led to a manslaughter conviction with a 10-year sentence for the perpetrator. In 2014, I was awarded a crown court commendation by the judge for my investigation of a carbon monoxide fatality from an oil air heater installation.

HSE has a large network of regulatory inspectors throughout the UK and I provide technical gas training to them, as well offering technical advice for them on-site or in their investigations. I also work closely with HSE’s engagement and policy division, helping them to formulate gas policy and providing technical responses to questions from industry and the public.

Since changes to UK sentencing guidelines came into force, it has become more common for defendants to employ experts in their defence against HSE prosecution. Even where they plead guilty, they will still employ an expert to offer mitigation. Increasingly, this leads to me offer independent expert advice to the court. Without a doubt, appearing in court is my least favourite part of the job and it can be very stressful, but it now accounts for a very large percentage of my work for HSE.

Early in my career with HSE, I was fortunate to meet two men who have had a tremendous influence on me. Dr Steve Johnson and Dr Gary Tomlin both started out on the tools with British Gas with a determination to continually better themselves. They studied and climbed through the industry to become tremendously successful leaders in their field. Steve runs Specialist Gas Assessment Services in Blackpool, while Gary is one of the country’s most knowledgeable gas research scientists at DNV GL. Both of them encouraged me to join IGEM and Steve wrote my initial membership proposal. Joining IGEM is one of the best things I’ve ever done professionally. It opened my eyes to a whole world of knowledgeable people and learning opportunities through which I have been able to develop. Steve and Gary also encouraged me to undertake my MSc in gas engineering, which I should complete this year.

I currently give my time to IGEM’s Council and Membership Committee, the EngTech working group and a number of technical panels. I was very proud to be made an IGEM Fellow in 2020. I would recommend IGEM to anyone in the gas industry who wants to learn more about how our whole industry operates and why our industry standards say what they do.