The year 2018 was marked by 1,112 technological accidents, compared to 827 in 2016, which corresponds to an increase of 34% in two years. The increase in figures denotes a growth in accidentology that continues at a steady pace, according to the finding made by the Bureau d'analyse des risques et pollutions industriels (BARPI) within the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Solidarity.
The fire in Rouen, on September 26, 2019, was an opportunity to remind us of the need for better prevention and management of industrial accidents. In this respect, Gesip's expertise has established itself as a reference player in industrial safety since 1953. The group takes into account regulatory changes as well as accidents and incidents, in order to complete its experience and work towards improving safety by supporting companies in their risk management through expertise services and training offers in real conditions. Gesip also participates in the feedback process, which is crucial for a better understanding of industrial risks.
Inventory of technological incidents and accidents in 2019 by BARPI
BARPI has been monitoring the accidentology of classified facilities for over 28 years. It has just published its inventory of technological incidents and accidents that occurred in 2019. This organization offers a striking summary of the significant events that occurred on the territory during the past year.
Over the course of 2019, there have been four fatalities of workers at the sites in four accidents. There was also an increase in the overall number of injuries to both employees, rescuers and the public. The BARPI inventory notes, in fact, 591 injuries in 2019, compared to 447 in 2018, mainly affected by the smoke resulting from the fires.
The figures for 2019 show a significant improvement in the number of accidents and incidents at Seveso establishments, even though they present the highest risk potential. It is worth noting that this decline has resulted in the lowest number of major accidents to be notified to the European Commission Eurostat, which collects statistical data on occupational health and safety by member states, since 2009.
BARPI also studies the accidentology of establishments not classified as Seveso, which present a more modest risk potential. In this case, the analysis of events in establishments subject to authorization, registration or declaration highlights an upward trend in accidents and incidents in 2019, in line with the curve observed in recent years.
The main sectors and risk factors
In the inventory carried out by BARPI, the chemical industry sector stands out as having a particularly high risk potential, along with the waste and wastewater sectors and the agri-food sector. The metallurgy sector, on the other hand, has seen a certain decline in accidents.
The events that have occurred in classified facilities confirm the predominance of certain hazardous phenomena that should be taken into account for industrial prevention and safety. In the first rank of these dangerous phenomena, fires are predominant in 59% of cases. Then come material releases in 41% of cases and finally explosions in a little less than 4% of cases.
The study of the causes of industrial accidents in classified facilities
Feedback from the in-depth study of accidents and incidents is particularly necessary to determine the origin of apparent causes but also to identify the root causes in order to improve industrial safety through better prevention and risk management, as Gesip is doing.
The inventory of technological incidents and accidents that occurred in 2019 carried out by BARPI highlights a decline in the analysis and knowledge of the causes of accidents.
This document also shows the preponderance of material defects and organizational factors as causes of accidents and incidents. It also points to shortcomings in the organization of controls, the choice of equipment, intervention procedures and risk identification.
The fire at the Lubrizol plant plant in Rouen and the recommendations of the parliamentary commission of inquiry
The serious fire that occurred on September 26, 2019 at a chemical plant Lubrizolclassified Seveso, and a warehouse of the company Normandie Logistique in the town of Rouen was certainly the outstanding event of 2019 and even of the decade because of its disastrous consequences.
The recommendations of the parliamentary commission of inquiry that met on this occasion are in line with the findings of BARPI, which call for an improvement in the industrial risk prevention policy. This is why the first recommendation is based on the creation of a real culture of industrial risk by giving priority to training with life-size exercises, as proposed by Gesip thanks to its diverse training offer and its two technical platforms, unique in Europe, equipped with life-size teaching units.