ACCIDENTS INVOLVING REACTIVE CHEMICALS

Past accidents, as realistic evidence for the possibility of accidents to come, are very instructive. Learning about past accidents should prevent the occurrence of similar accidents. However, in view of the many cases in which the same accidents have occurred repeatedly, learning about previous accidents is all the more necessary. 

In this chapter, reactive substances will be classified into several types for each type, major informative past accidents will be described. Accidents involving hazardous materials in earthquakes will also be discussed here. 

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Chapter 2 Typical examples of accidents involving reactive chemicals are presented so that readers will understand the nature of existing hazards associated with reactive chemicals. Readers will appreciate that similar accidents can happen in the future and that countermeasures should be prepared to prevent such accidents. 

Many methods have been developed that are suitable for assessing risks associated with the operation of facilities involving chemical reactivity hazards. The more commonly used methods are summarized in Table 4.9. They differ in their applicability, level of effort, and how systematic they are in identifying accident scenarios. All of the methods except layer of protection analysis (LOPA) may be applied qualitatively, and all except checklist reviews may be performed in at least a semiquantitative manner. CCPS (1992a) is a basic source of information on each of these methods. 

Modify the accident reporting requirements in RMP Info to define and record reactive incidents. Consider adding the term "reactive incident" to the four existing "release events" in EPA s current 5-year accident reporting requirements (Gas Release, Liquid Spill/ Evaporation, Fire, and Explosion). Structure this information collection to allow EPA and its stakeholders to identify and focus resources on industry sectors that experienced the incidents chemicals and processes involved and impact on the public, the workforce, and the environment. 

The concept of a safety case comes from the requirements of the European Union/European Community (EU/EC) Seveso Directive (82/501/EC) and, in particular, regulations that the United Kingdom and other member states used to implement that directive. United Kingdom regulations (Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards [CIMAH], 1984 replaced by Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances [COMAH] in 1999) require that major hazardous facilities produce a safety report or safety case.64 The requirement for a safety case is initiated by a list of chemicals and a class of flammables. Like the hazard analysis approach (Section 8.1.2), experts identify the reactive hazards of the process if analysis shows that the proposed process is safe, it may be excluded from additional regulatory requirements. 

A variety of chemical lecture demonstrations involving unstable or highly reactive materials which have led to accidents are reviewed, and practical suggestions made to avoid such incidents [1]. Safety aspects are discussed and some relevant books and articles reviewed [2],... 

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