Public awareness promoting new or emerging risks: Industrial accidents triggered by natural hazards (NaTech) (original) (raw)
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Industrial Accidents Triggered by Natural Hazards: an Emerging Risk Issue
2010
Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding or hurricanes have recently and dramatically hit several countries worldwide. Both direct and indirect consequences involved the population, causing on the one hand a high number of fatalities and on the other hand so relevant economical losses that the national gross product may be affected for many years. Loss of critical industrial infrastructures (electricity generation and distribution, gas pipelines, oil refineries, etc.) also occurred, causing further indirect damage to the population. In several cases, accident scenarios with large releases of hazardous materials were triggered by these natural events, causing so-called "Natech events", in which the overall damage resulted from the simultaneous consequences of the natural event and of the release of hazardous substances. Toxic releases, large fires and explosions, as well as possible long-term environmental pollution, economical losses, and overloading of emergency systems were recognised by post-event studies as the main issues of these Natech scenarios. In recent years the increasing frequency and severity of some natural hazards due to climate change has slowly increased the awareness of Natech risk as an emerging risk among the stakeholders. Indeed, the iNTeg-Risk project, co-funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework Program specifically addresses these scenarios among new technological issues on public safety. The present study, in part carried out within the iNTeg-Risk project, was aimed at the analysis and further development of methods and tools for the assessment and mitigation of Natech accidents. Available tools and knowledge gaps in the assessment of Natech scenarios were highlighted. The analysis mainly addressed the potential impact of flood, lightning and earthquake events on industrial installations where hazardous substances are present. Preliminary screening methodologies and more detailed methods based on quantitative risk analysis were developed. Strategies based on the use of multiple information layers aiming at the identification of mitigation and early warning systems were also explored. A case-study in the Emilia-Romagna region is presented.
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2019
Industrial facilities and critical infrastructure are vulnerable to the impact of natural hazards. These impacts can trigger so-called Natech accidents and the release of toxic substances, fires and explosions, potentially resulting in health effects, environmental pollution and economic losses. Different factors drive Natech risk, including technical issues linked to the characteristics inherent in Natech events, as well as risk governance and socioeconomic challenges. This paper discusses the most important Natech risk drivers in detail, gives examples of existing instruments for Natech risk management in the European Union and at international level, and proposes a set of basic indicators to help measure a country's level of Natech risk reduction. It concludes with targeted recommendations on how to close persisting gaps related to Natech research and policy challenges.
The Risks Related to the Interaction Between Natural Hazards and Technologies
A large European integrating project on early recognition, monitoring and integrated management of risks related to emerging and new technologies (iNTeg-Risk) has recently started. Among several research activities, a specific task has been devoted to the interaction of natural hazards and technology (Na-Tech risks). The main goal of this task is to improve the resilience of industrial facilities to technological accidents caused or aggravated by natural hazards. In this context, the authors have analysed Na-Tech accidents due to impact of earthquakes, floods and lightning on chemical and process plants, aiming at giving a general framework for the assessment of industrial risks.
Awareness and Mitigation of NaTech Accidents: Toward a Methodology for Risk Assessment
Special Issue of Natural …, 2006
Natural hazards affecting chemical and process facilities deserve particular attention since they can cause the release of hazardous substances possibly resulting in severe environmental pollution, explosions and/or fires (so-called NaTech accidents). Awareness of the hazard posed by Natech events is growing, and a need for explicitly including NaTech accidents into chemical-accident prevention and mitigation is nowadays widely recognized. Nevertheless, several elements that characterize Natech events still need to be investigated. In particular, only scarce data exists on equipment damage modes, release intensities and the final consequences for these accidents. The present contribution focuses on the development of a general framework for the assessment of NaTech risk. The analysis of past accident data allowed the gathering of data on the expected damage of process equipment caused by the impact of flood, lightning and earthquake events. Failure modes and damage states caused by these different natural events were identified. The expected intensity value of loss of containment (LOC) was obtained by statistical analysis.
Analysis of Past Accidents Triggered by Natural Events in the Chemical and Process Industry
Chemical Engineering Transactions, 2019
NaTech events (Natural Hazard Triggering Technological Disasters) are becoming an increasing concern in the Chemical and Process Industry (CPI). From a risk management standpoint, a better understanding of such events is of paramount importance. In this perspective, the analysis of past accidents is crucial, being almost the only source of information on the possible interactions between natural threats and CPI. To this aim, the present work collected 438 past NaTechs that affected CPI, analysing the trends of accidents with respect to the trend of natural disasters, the geographical localization, the type of natural hazard triggering the accident, the final scenarios (e.g. fire, explosion,…) and the consequences on human and assets. For each type of NaTech, significant accidents have been reported and discussed.
Industrial Disasters and Hazards: From Causes to Consequences—A Holistic View
Preprints, 2024
Starting from accelerated industrial development, industrial disasters (chemical spills, explosions, nuclear accidents, etc.), which fall under man-made (technological) disasters, increasingly threaten human lives, the environment, and property. Their complexity and far-reaching consequences, both at the local and global levels, require effective management of industrial risks and the disasters themselves (preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery). For these reasons, the review paper aims to provide a holistic description of the diverse causes, dynamics, and multidimensional consequences of disasters. Additionally, it highlights and explains the key factors that directly or indirectly contribute to their occurrence. Furthermore, it could be said that the paper analyzes existing strategies for managing risks from industrial disasters and systematizes recommendations for improving preventive and reactive measures in high-risk industries. On the other side, the paper utilizes a comprehensive literature review, which involves the systematic identification, review, analysis, and critical evaluation of existing scientific papers, studies, reports, and regulatory documents on industrial disasters. Besides that, it also includes a detailed analysis of well-known industrial disaster cases such as Seveso (Italy, 1976), Bhopal (India, 1984), Chernobyl (Ukraine, then USSR, 1986), and Fukushima (Japan, 2011). The paper emphasizes that industrial disasters are often the result of the combined influence and interaction of technical failures, human errors, and inadequately developed safety procedures. Moreover, it can be highlighted that the design and implementation of preventive measures, such as regular maintenance of technical systems and systematic training and education of employees, are crucial for reducing the likelihood of such catastrophic events. The implications of this review paper are multifaceted and point to the following: the need to reassess current safety practices in industries; reconsider the potential for introducing innovations in preventive technical-technological solutions; examine the thorough implementation of innovative early warning systems, safety procedures, and modern equipment in facilities; improve cooperation between engineers, safety managers, and regulatory workers; reassess the need for additional updates and tightening of regulations regarding the storage, transport, and use of hazardous materials in industry; and improve the management of risks from industrial disasters.
Risk Analysis of Natech Accidents Trigged by Lightnings and Floods
Gazi university journal of science part a:engineering and innovation, 2023
Natech Acidents Risk Analysis Lightning Floods Natural Hazard Triggered Technical Accidents (Natech) cause serious loss of life, environment and property and affect life negatively. Risk analysis studies of these accidents are important. In this study, it was aimed to analyze the risk of Natech accidents for Türkiye. Statistical evaluation of Natech accidents was made through various databases for selecting the province and organization where the application will be made. Because of these evaluations, two exemplary gas storage organizations (Organization 1: includes 5 cylindrical tanks of the same volume, Organization 2: includes 4 cylindrical tanks of the same volume and 1 large volume spherical tank) were selected within the scope of the legislation in Erzurum, which stands out in terms of flood and lightning risk. Flood-triggered Natech accidents were analyzed using the preliminary hazard list and Fine-Kinney methods, and lightningtriggered Natech accidents were analyzed through the YILKOMER and RADSAN programs. For Organization 1 and Organization 2, the protection level was determined as 3 and 4, respectively, according to the effectiveness value. While 34 hazard effects were graded with the preliminary hazard list for Organization 1 and 22 hazard effects by Fine-Kinney; for Organization 2, hazard effects were graded 37 with the preliminary hazard list and 28 with Fine-Kinney. Because of the analyses carried out, Organization 2 was found to be more risky in terms of Natech accidents triggered by both lightning and flooding. It can be said that this situation is because the relevant organization is located in a more congested area and within the organized industry, and that it contains more voluminous tanks. It is important that emergency plans be prepared by considering the Natech risks, based on the characteristics of the industrial facility and the type of natural disaster in the region.
Consideration of natural hazards in the design and risk management of industrial facilities
Natural Hazards, 2008
Recent chemical accidents precipitated by natural disasters have prompted governments in the United States, Japan, and Europe, among other countries, to re-evaluate current practices in the design and risk management of industrial facilities. This paper presents an overview of natural hazard design considerations and external events risk management requirements in the industrial sector, with particular emphasis on industrial practices in the United States, Japan, and Europe. The analysis shows that although regulations exist to ensure industrial plant structures are built to resist natural hazards (up to the design level), there are few laws to address the performance of non-structural elements and safety and emergency response measures during a natural disaster. Laws usually also refer to natural hazards only indirectly, and provisions to prevent or respond to simultaneous disasters from single or multiple sources concurrent with the natural disaster are usually not present.
Natural Hazards, 2011
Natural hazards and disasters can cause major accidents in chemical and process installations. These so-called Natech accidents can result in hazardous-materials releases due to damage to process and storage units, or pipes. In order to understand the dynamics of Natech events, accidents triggered by earthquakes, floods and lightning recorded in industrial accident databases were analysed. This allowed the identification of the most vulnerable equipment types, their modes of failure due to natural-event impact and the final accident scenarios. Moreover, lessons learned for future accident prevention and mitigation were derived. The analysis showed that pipes and storage tanks are the most vulnerable equipment for earthquakes, floods and lightning, calling for more research of equipment behaviour under natural-event loading. The damage modes and states are strongly dependent on the characteristics of the impacting natural event. Toxic dispersion, fires and explosions were observed as a consequence of all three types of analysed natural events. In the case of floods, two additional scenarios were identified. These are water contamination and the formation of toxic and/or flammable vapours upon reaction of the released chemicals with the floodwaters. The overall number of recorded Natech accidents was found to range from 2 to 5% of all reported accidents in the analysed databases.
A qualitative Natech damage scale for the impact of floods on selected industrial facilities
Natural Hazards, 2008
There is increasing evidence that natural disasters can trigger technological accidents and damage. These so-called Natech accidents can pose a significant risk to regions that are unprepared for responding to them. The European Commission's Joint Research Centre has recognised the risk associated with Natech events and has started systematic research into Natechs and their underlying dynamics. This work investigates the risk associated with the flooding of industrial installations through an analysis of past case histories and using expert judgement. The potential impact of three levels of flood severity on selected industrial facilities storing and/or processing (eco-)toxic, flammable or explosive materials is analysed qualitatively and a scale is developed that links the flood intensity to the level of potential damage. Our analysis indicates that natural disasters have the potential for triggering hazmat releases and other types of technological accidents. Hence, natural disasters should be considered as separate accident-triggering events in the planning, design and operating stages of industrial facilities that process or store hazardous substances. Our work revealed a lack of detailed information on the occurrence of Natech events which indicates not necessarily a scarcity of Natechs but rather a lack of standardised reporting and record keeping.