Worst Fatal Incidents

The five worst fatal incidents in this analysis are stated below. They are mostly associated with 

Cut into Pipeline not hydrocarbon free, Platform destroyed, - 7 fatalities (Arco - 1989) 

Blowout, total platform destroyed - 6 fatalities, (Penzoil - 1980) 

Blowout, jackup rig suffered catastrophic damage - 5 fatalities, (Cities Service - 1980) 

---

Smoke is a by-product of most fires caused by the incomplete oxidation of the fuel supply during the chemical process of combustion. It accounts for a large majority of fatalities of from fire incidents at both onshore and offshore petroleum facilities. In the Piper Alpha incident of 1988, probably the worst petroleum industry offshore life loss incident, the majority of deaths were not from bums, drowning or explosion impacts but from smoke and gas inhalation. The report on the incident concluded that, of the bodies recovered from the incident, 83% were as a result of inhalation of smoke and gas. Most of these victims were assembled in the accommodation awaiting evacuation directions or as they may have thought - a possible rescue. 

Because of the aforementioned circumstances, the loss of control of the phenol-formaldehyde reaction has been the cause of a number of severe incidents in chemical batch reactors during the last decades [12], These incidents have caused many injuries and, in the worst case, even fatalities among the plant operators. Other severe consequences have been the evacuation of residents in the surrounding area due to chemical contamination and a protracted stop in the plant production. 

Learned speculations are to be made on the consequences of an occurrence the number of fatalities, injuries, or illnesses the value of property or equipment damaged the time for which productivity will be lost and the extent of environmental damage. Historical data can be of great value as a baseline. On a subjective basis, the goal would be to decide on the worst credible consequences should an incident occur, not the worst conceivable consequence. When the severity of consequence is determined, a hazard analysis will have been completed. 

In the 1980s a series of serious incidents occurred in chemical plants throughout the world. With over 3500 fatalities, the Bhopal catastrophe of 1984 was the worst-ever industrial event in terms of loss of human life (although that event may well have been caused by sabotage). But there were many other high-profile incidents, including a sequence of explosions and fires in Pasadena, Texas in the mid to late 1980s. 

As is seen from Fig. 11/4.3.1 -1, near the vicinity of the incident the severity will he more intense than further away. Also it gives an idea of the magnimde of the consequence of an event. To assure adequacy of the control measure it is necessary to realize the worst case scenario, which could be a cumulative or combination effect. Most likely the incident issue is important, hence the total range of hazards is important. Also the potential escalation zone at the interface area of the fatality zone and equipment zone is vital because severity in this zone may be wider. Qualitative estimation of consequences is done on the basis of previous experiences. In some cases, such as jet/flash fire gas dispersions, etc., detailed quantitative analysis based on computerized modeling may be called for. Various analysis types are discussed separately. 

Consequence analysis involves the analysis of the potential of hazardous incidents that could cause injuries, fatalities, and damage to assets and the environment. A sequence of failures may result in a hazard becoming a major incident, and analysts need to determine the consequences of each of these hazards. This should be based on the worst possible scenario, for example, in the case of an electrical short circuit, a... 

The following table has been developed by the HSE to help to determine the level of investigation which is appropriate. The worst case scenario for the consequences should be considered in using the table. A particular incident like a scaffold collapse may not have caused an injury but had the potential to cause major or fatal injuries. 

Smoke is a by-product of most fires caused by the incomplete oxidation of the fuel supply during the chemical process of combustion. It accounts for a large majority of fatalities from fire incidents at both onshore and offshore petroleum facilities. In the Piper Alpha incident of 1988, probably the worst petroleum... 

---