Abstract

Each year, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) analyses the nature, scale and cause of incidents at companies in the Netherlands working with large quantities of hazardous substances. Twelve incidents were analysed this time. Nine involved the release of hazardous substances, with two of these subsequently resulting in an explosion. Explosions occurred immediately during work activities in two of the incidents. In the last incident, an emergency pressure unit prevented the release of hazardous substances. Only steam was released as a result. One person sustained a permanent injury (reduced vision in one eye) as a result of an explosion. Other casualties experienced temporary breathing difficulties and irritations.

Companies are responsible for ensuring that equipment is in good working order and that employees are capable of carrying out production processes and work activities safely. As was the case in
previous analyses, the incidents investigated involved shortcomings on a variety of aspects.

For instance, eight incidents occurred when work was being done despite it not being safe to commence. For example, the equipment had not been emptied sufficiently, or needed replenishing due to leaky valves. These anomalies often went unnoticed, allowing hazardous substances to subsequently escape or cause an explosion. Sometimes emergency measures can help prevent an incident. Emergency measures were not in place or failed to have the desired effect in half of the incidents. One possible emergency measure is to shut down the equipment to prevent the release of a hazardous substance.

There were shortcomings in terms of ‘planning and procedures’ for the work in all of the incidents. These were sometimes not in place due to the risks not having been anticipated in advance. Some cases entailed failure to ensure compliance with work instructions on the part of the company. Or work instructions had not been formulated with sufficient clarity to enable them to be adopted in practice.

This report forms part of the assignment issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment to analyse incidents investigated by the Dutch Labour Inspectorate. RIVM is studying the similarities and differences between these incidents. The results can be used for the purposes of inspection and enforcement strategies. Companies will be able to draw on the insights generated to improve their safety policies.