Siting and Land-use Planning
GOAL
To establish policies so that hazardous installations are located to minimise adverse effects to the community in the event of an accident, including restricting developments near existing installations.
Siting and land-use planning policies, often administered at the local level, are important tools for protecting people, the environment and property outside the boundaries of the installation. Land-use planning is complex since it is used for a number of purposes, in addition to safety.
The objective should be to have appropriate separation between hazard installations and: (i) neighbouring hazardous installations; (ii) housing, residential areas and other centres of population nearby; (iii) sensitive facilities such as hospitals, schools sports stadia; and (iv)other locations with a large number of members of the public. It can be used to prevent an increase in the risk associated with an installation, especially since there is a tendency to build homes and other facilities close to industrial areas unless restricted.
Suggested activities include:
- Provide guidance to local authorities on how land-use planning should be used to address chemical accident risks, including how it should be applied to both new installations and developments near existing installations.
- Collect information about the facilities and the surrounding areas. Take into account special local circumstances, including the possibility of natural disasters and extreme weather in the area
- Apply the standards whenever there is an application for a new hazardous installation, a major modification to an existing installation, or proposed developments near a hazardous installation.
- Periodically review planning standards and update them in light of new information
- Ensure coordination among relevant authorities and involve the local community in land-use planning decisions
Relevant tools
- UNEP: A Flexible Framework for addressing Chemical Accident Prevention and Preparedness – A Guidance Document (2010)
- ILO: Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents (1991)
- OECD: Guiding Principles for Chemical Accident Prevention Preparedness and Response (2nd ed, 2003)
- WHO - Manual for the Public Health Management of Chemical Incidents [2009]