The CIA Responsible Care Cumbria Cell visits Sellafield

The Cumbria Responsible Care Cell meeting, hosted by Sellafield Ltd, provided a constructive forum for discussion, knowledge exchange and practical learning for chemical industry professionals across the region. 

The programme included a site tour of Sellafield, giving delegates direct insight into process controls on a nuclear plant. The visit highlighted approaches to safety, health, environment and security that participants can apply within their own operations. This practical element reinforced the purpose of the Responsible Care Cells, to support continuous improvement through shared experience. 

The meeting brought together a group of professionals including EHS, COMAH, process safety and chemical management. This diversity of expertise generated useful dialogue on compliance, risk management and operational performance. For participating companies, the exchange of practices and perspectives represented a clear opportunity to learn all about the process controls on a nuclear plant.  

Importantly, the meeting also underlined the role of Responsible Care in building sector-wide resilience. Open exchange of knowledge contributes not only to individual site performance but also to raising industry standards more broadly.  

The Chemical Industries Association is pleased to facilitate these sessions. While they are open to all, members benefit from direct access to a network of peers, opportunities to benchmark performance and a forum to contribute to the wider development of Responsible Care. 

The next Cumbria Responsible Care Cell meeting will take place in January 2026. Professionals with responsibility for safety, health, environment, or security are encouraged to participate and engage in this important programme. 

What are CIA Responsible Care Cells?

Responsible Care Cells are networks facilitated by the CIA, designed to bring chemical companies together to discuss good safety, health, environment and security practices, share incidents and learnings.

Sharing learnings is a core principle of Responsible Care, and these sessions demonstrate how collaboration can directly enhance performance across the industry.

Cell meetings are hosted by different companies in turn, allowing delegates to gain first-hand insight into a range of sites and operations. This approach not only brings the discussions to life but also enables participants to see how safety, health and environmental practices are applied in real-world settings.

For chemical businesses, joining a Responsible Care Cell offers many benefits. It provides a safe space for constructive dialogue on EHS and related issues, a chance to learn from like-minded individuals and the opportunity to be part of a community of professionals addressing common challenges.