Chemical accident prevention, preparedness and response

You have chosen to investigate how to improve chemical accident prevention, preparedness and/or response in your country, specifically with respect to accidents at "hazardous installations". These are fixed installations where hazardous chemicals are produced, handled, used, stored, or disposed of and include include, for example, manufacturing facilities, refineries, warehouses, water treatment plants, refrigeration facilities, mining operations, railroad yards, ports and other transport interfaces. (see "More Information" for additional examples).

This section will help identify approaches for a national scheme (“a Chemical Accidents Programme”) that is appropriate for your country’s particular circumstances, taking into account the level and nature of risks, type of industries, available resources, and legal and cultural context.  

The steps needed to develop a Chemical Accidents Programme, and the elements of the Programme, are based on guidance prepared by international organisations taking into account the experience of many countries.

WHY FOCUS on CHEMICAL ACCIDENTS:  Most countries face significant risks of chemical accidents from the production, storage, use, handling and/or disposal of hazardous substances.  Such substances include, for example, industrial chemicals, petroleum-based products, refrigerants, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals.

A systematic approach can help to protect health of workers and the public, as well as the environment and property, by:

• reducing the likelihood that a significant accident will occur;
• limiting the consequences of any accident that does happen.

This site focuses on chemical accident prevention and preparedness at fixed installations. Thus, it does not specifically address: general issues related to occupational health and safety; chronic pollution; nuclear safety; site security; and transport of hazardous substances (although some of provisions herein may apply to these related subjects).

By clicking on the first link below, you can view a three hour on-line introduction to the subject prepared as a collaborative effort of the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit, UNEP and the UN/ECE.