Major hazard installations

The results of the Flixborough investigation made it clear that the large inventory of flammable material in the process plant contributed to the scale of the disaster. It was concluded that limitations of inventory should be taken as specific design objectives in major hazard installations. It should be noted, however, that reduction of inventoiy may require more frequent and smaller shipments and improved management. 

C. G. Ramsey, R. Sylvester-Evans, and M. A. English, Siting and Layout of Major Hazardous Installations, /. Ghem. E. Symposium Series No. 71, 1982. 

Consultation distances (in relation to major hazard and other sites, e.g. LPG, chlorine, for land use planning) HSE assessments for consultation distances for major hazard installations. Chapter 5 in Safety Cases (Lees and Ang, 1989)... 

Regulate the design and operation of defined major hazard installations. All necessary measures are required to prevent and limit the consequences of major accidents. Operators of upper-tier sites must produce a detailed Safety Report those of lower-tier sites must prepare a Major Accident Prevention Policy. 

HSE assessments for consultation distances for major hazard installations. Chapter 5 in Safety Cases (Lees and Ang, 1989)... 

A seismic stress analysis is not made as a routine procedure in the design of vessels for sites in the United Kingdom, except for nuclear installations, as the probability of an earthquake occurring of sufficient severity to cause significant damage is negligible. However, the possibility of earthquake damage may be considered if the site is a Major Hazards installation, see Chapter 9, Section 9.9. 

A Review of Past Accidents Occurring in Major Hazard Installations in Italy Discussion of the Causes, Consequences, and Lessons Learned, Giancarlo Ludovisi and Fiorenzo Damiani... 

This accident resulted in significant changes in England and the rest of the world in the manner in which chemical process safety is managed by industry and government. One of the conclusions reached as a result of this accident, which has had a wide effect in the chemical industry, is that limitations of inventory (or flammable materials) should be taken as specific design objectives in major hazard installations. ... 

Specifically, the purpose of Convention No. 174, adopted by the International Labour Conference (1993), is the prevention of major accidents involving hazardous substances and the limitation of the consequences of such accidents. It plies to major hazard installations with the exception of nuclear installations and plants processing radioactive substances except for facilities handling non-radioactive substances at these installations, military installations, and transport outside the site of an installation other than by pipeline. 

States ratifying the Convention are required to work out, in consultation with the most representative organisations of employers and woikers and with other interested parties who may be affected, a national policy for the prevention of major industrial accidents in accordance with the general principles it sets forth. The policy shall be implemented through preventive and protective measures for major hazard installations and, where practicable, shall promote the use of the best available safety technologies. 

Joy Oh has degrees in medical biology and chemical technology. He is a policy co-ordinator with the Ministry of Social Affairs in the Netherlands. This ministry is responsible for the laws, regulations and policy with respect to safety and health of workers. Part of the ministry is the Labour Inspectorate. Apart from making policy the ministry is also involved with the development of codes, standards and support tools with respect to auditing and inspection of major hazard installations and safety management systems. Joy. Oh is a member of the Commission of Competent Authorities established under the Seveso II directive. This committee acts as an advisory committee for the EU Commission. 

Zhou, J. 2010. SPA-fuzzy method based real-time risk assessment for major hazard installations storing flammable gas. Safety Science 48 819-822. 

---