Hazard studies: risk control measures (barriers)

One of the objectives of the Seveso II Directive ( directive n° 96/82 du 9 décembre 1996 on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances) is to control risks at source. To achieve this objective, manufacturers must define and implement safety barriers, also known as risk control measures (RCMs), the aim of which is to reduce risks as far as possible by reducing the probability of accidents (prevention), but also by limiting their effects outside the establishment (mitigation). In practice, it is during the risk analysis carried out as part of the hazard study that MMRs are assessed in relation to the accident scenarios identified. The choice and performance of the MMRs selected to guarantee good risk control must be justified in order to guarantee their effectiveness.