Natechs
GOAL
Establish policies to address the prevention of, preparedness for and response to Natechs - a chemical accident, including spills of oil and oil products, triggered or made worse by a natural hazard or natural disaster (such as extreme temperatures, high winds, floods, storms, earthquakes, or wildfires).
Prevention of, preparedness for and response to Natechs require additional considerations as compared to “ordinary” chemical accidents at hazardous installations. For example, natural disasters can:
- impact key infrastructure elements such as electric grids, energy and water supplies, communication systems and transport routes
- put a strain on emergency and medical response capabilities
- trigger accidents at several installations at the same time
In addition, more than one hazard may appear at the same time (e.g., heavy winds and precipitation) and one natural hazard can trigger others (e.g., earthquake followed by a tsunami).
It is also important to keep in mind that recent studies predict that climate change will lead to more frequent and more intense natural disasters, often in areas where there are large chemical and petro-chemical facilities. This means a greater risk of Natechs, with the potential for significant harm to human health, the environment and the economy in the vicinity of hazardous installations.
Suggested activities include:
- Take into account natural hazards such as floods, extreme temperatures, high winds, earthquakes, and wildfires when establishing regulations, policies and practices related to hazardous installations, including land-use planning arrangements and preparedness planning
- Collect data related to natural hazards and natural disasters, and use this to develop natural hazard maps
- Provide guidance on methodologies for the identification and assessment of Natechs risks related to accidents at hazardous installations.
- Review emergency plans to be sure they address the possible consequences of earthquakes, floods, extreme temperatures and other natural hazards that might trigger Natechs
- Establish natural hazard warning systems to inform companies and communities of impending natural hazards or disasters, to the extent practicable
Relevant tools
- OECD: 2nd Addendum to Guiding Principles - to address natural hazards triggering technological accidents (Natechs) (2015)
- WHO - Environmental health in emergencies and disasters: a practical guide, chapter 12 [2002]
- UNEP & INERIS, APELL Multi-Hazard Training Kit for Local Authorities – For Community Vulnerability Reduction, Prevention, and Preparedness (2010)
- OECD: The Impact of Natural Hazards on Hazardous Installations (2022)
- OECD: Risks From Natural Hazards At Hazardous Installations (Natech)