HAZARD IDENTIFICATION, RISK ASSESSMENT

& ROLE OF REGULATOR

YUNUS TAIENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER

GUJARAT POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDCase of “RAYLAND FLETCHER”Judgment by BRITISH COURT known as “PRINCIPLE OF RESTRICTED LIABILITY”If any disaster occurs, PERSON will be responsible exceptACT OF GOD (Natural Disaster)NOT DUE TO NEGLIGENCEIF NEIGHBOUR AGREECase of BHOPAL GAS LEAK (1984)Judgment by Hon’ble Supreme Court by Chief Justice Shri.P.N.Bhagwati “PRINCIPLE OF ABSOLUTE LIABILITY”Leads to enactment of EPA and Public Liability Insurance Act

DEFINATIONSHazard:

Something that has the potential to cause human injury, ill health and/or damage to

property (machinery and equipment) or to the environment.

Risk: The probability (likelihood) of harm or

damage occurring from exposure to a hazard, and the likely consequences of that harm or damage

HAZARD MANAGEMENT PROCESS

Identify the hazards Assess the risks Evaluate risks Control the risks Monitor and Review

IDENTIFYING HAZARDS

Safety HazardsHealth HazardsEnvironment Hazards

To identify hazards, we need to understands that hazards can beObviousHidden orDeveloping

ASSESS THE RISK

WHAT IS RISK???? Injury Illness Damage Productivity Loss

FACTORS

Likelihood - What is the probability of it happening?Degree of Exposure - How often would I be exposed?Consequence - If it occurs, what will happen?

RISK LEVEL

Likelihood x Consequence (Severity)

Hazards can be ranked with a high to low risk

LIKELYHOOD & EXPOSURE

What is the likelihood of the hazard leading to an incident and possibly injury/damage?

Degree of Exposure How long? How often?

are you or others exposed to the hazardous situation ?

WHAT TO CONSIDER?

the number of times tasks are undertaken which could result in an incident; the number of people performing the

task(s); and the likelihood of the incident occurring while the task is being performed

TYPES OF HAZARDFLOODSCYCLONEDRAUGHTEARTHQUAKESEA LEVEL RISECHEMICAL SPILLAGE/LEAKAGEOIL SPILLINDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS

RISK ASSESMENT METHEDOLOGYVulnerability AssessmentInstitutional AppraisalEstablishment of Risk ExposurePossible Mitigative MeasuresInformation Dissemination thro’

Networking/Right To Information Act

ROLE OF REGULATOR

SYSTEMATIC APPROACH Formal System v/s Informal System Technology v/s Human Attitude

SHE (Safety, Health and Environment)On Site/Off Site Emergency PlanDocumentation and Verification

CASE STUDY:FIRE INCIDENT AT COMMON HAZ WASTE INCINERATOR FACILITY

Fire took place at waste storage area (shed:7) at 18.10 hrs. on April,3rd 2008Message received by Authorities at 18.30 hrsFirst Firetender reached at 18.30 hrsGPCB with Toxicity monitoring team reached at 19.15 hrsDPMC/GNFC/ONGC/IPCL/GSFC requested for assistance39 Firetender reached at siteFoam/DCP powder used for extinguishingFire brought under control at 21.00 hrsFire totally extinguished at 5.30 hrs on morning

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKENDrains blocked to contain contaminated hydrant water1380 KL contaminated hydrant water sent to CETP for treatment211 MT of waste collected from shed:7 and incineratedContaminated water (aqueous waste) @ 99 MT collected from collection pit/drains and incineratedDistrict Collector directed DHO for continuous monitoring for health check up of people of surrounding villageGPCB/AEPS/BEIL team monitored site & surrounding areas/villages downwind collecting water/soil samplesContinuous ambient air monitoring in villages/area downwind

CAUSE OF INCIDENT

Pyropheric reaction that may have occurred due to presence of Iron Sulfide either present in waste/or produced on account of chemical reaction in steel drum containing sulfideSome reactive, unstable and Pyropheric wastes may get auto ignited on contact with OxygenExcess storage of incinerable waste without considering compatibility of waste storedIn sufficient space for removal of leaked drumsInsufficient fire hydrant system

ACTION TAKEN

Directions under Water Act-1974, Air Act-1981 ad EPA-1986 issued by GPCB Prosecution in the Court of Law under EPA-1986Direction of Closure issued by CPCBCPCB constituted a committee to develop guideline for “limiting storage time for storage of incinerable waste in common facility”Guideline developed and put up on CPCB website

LESSON LEARNTSafety study carried out by External Expert AgencyNew fire hydrant line covering all storage sheds put upConstruction of peripheral road around storage shadesConstruction of additional three storage sheds and reconstruction of storage shed:7 after clean upAll storage sheds provided with smoke & heat detector system linked with peripheral water sprinkling systemRe arrangement of waste stored based on its compatibilityAlternative arrangement for incineration of waste at other common facilities at Baroda/Surat/VapiLocal Crisis Group (LCG) for off-site mock drillApproached NEERI to carry out study on “Post Impact of accident on Environment, Health & Property covering Safety Aspects”

Thank You