Technological Risk Planning as a Part of Environmental Management

Abstract

Although industries operate under safe conditions, an industrial accident may occur, threatening human life, property or environment. In the context of environmental management, the importance of taking into account the risk of major technological accidents is concerned not only with the definition of the extent of it consequences but with the measures taken to mitigate unwanted impacts. With regard to these objectives, the consequence analysis performed in Bahía Blanca industrial area are shown. Bahía Blanca is a middle-size populated town with one of the most important Argentinean petrochemical sites, where dangerous goods are processed, transported and stored. In particular, this work presents the results of evaluating the effects of about 200 possible accidental scenarios involving toxic and flammable substances releases. Hazard areas defined by means of this analysis have been employed to improve the local emergency plan. Finally, an easily understandable document was elaborated in order to achieve the effective risk communication to the local community.