Intentional Competency Development: Harmonising Standards for Major Hazard Installations

Principle: Intentional Competency Development; Harmonising Standards for Major Hazard Installations.

Abstract:

As a result of two significant major incidents: an explosion at Flixborough in 1974 where 28 people died;  and a toxic release in 1976 that impacted the town of Seveso 15 miles from the incident, the need to control the use, manufacture and storage of  dangerous (hazardous) substances within an industrial setting was identified. Subsequently legislation was developed to ensure major accident hazards are identified, controlled and mitigated in such a way as to prevent a major accident occurring or to minimise its impact.

This legislation is known as the Seveso directive and was enacted within the European Union in 1982. It has been revised and updated twice, the most recent revision mandated in 2012.

The implementation of the legislation in the UK led to the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards, CIMAH, and subsequently the Control of Major Accident Hazards, COMAH, regulations. The Seveso directive is truly time served and international. It is adopted by member states in the EU, with similar legislation adopted in Australia, Kingdom of Brunei and the United States of America. CIMAH has been adopted in Malaysia since 1996 and the Singaporean equivalent of COMAH is to be introduced in 2016. International competency in managing high hazard risks is evolving and that knowledge can be spread inter company, inter county, inter industry. This competency needs to be transferred to all levels of operational facilities to ensure compliance with the regulations.

The Seveso directives and subsequent regulations have resulted in a robust mechanism by which high hazard installations that use, manufacture and store significant quantities of dangerous substances, can demonstrate their ability and capability to manage and control the hazards. By systematically identifying the hazards, the potential consequences of major incidents, the installed control and mitigation facilities, the risks associated with facilities can be determined and communicated to company employees and neighbours.

By ensuring staff are competent in managing the hazards associated with a high hazard facility, the likelihood of a major accident occurring is minimised.

This paper will discuss the requirements of the Seveso directive and how competency is an integral part in ensuring chemical producers correctly implement the legislation in the real world of day to day operations both today and into the future.