Control of the causes of major industrial accidents

• Pages: 26-29

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6. Control of the causes of major industrial accidents

6.1. General

6.1.1. The primary responsibility for the control of the causes of major

industrial accidents should lie with works management.

6.1.2. A hazard analysis should lead to the identification of a number of

potential hardware and software failures and human errors in and around the

installation, which need to be controlled by works management.

6.1.3. In determining which failure may be of importance for an individual

installation, the following list of possible causes should be included:

– component failure;

– deviations from normal operating conditions;

– human and organisational errors;

– outside accidental interferences;

– natural forces;

– acts of mischief and sabotage.

6.2. Component failure

6.2.1. As a fundamental condition for safe operation, components should

withstand all specified operating conditions in order to contain any hazardous

substances in use.

6.2.2. As examples, the following causes of failure should be included in an

analysis:

(a) inappropriate design against internal pressure, external forces, corrosion, static

electricity and temperature;

(b) mechanical damage to components such as vessels and pipe-work due to

corrosion or external impact;

(c) malfunction of components such as pumps, compressors, blowers and stirrers;

(d) malfunction of control devices and systems (pressure and temperature sensors,

level controllers, flow meters, control units, process computers);

(e) malfunction of safety devices and systems (safety valves, bursting discs,

pressure-relief systems, neutralisation systems, flare towers).

6.2.3. Depending on the outcome of the analysis, works management should

decide on the need for additional safeguards or design improvements.