10. Glossary

Major accident

Unwanted event, such as the release of a toxic substance, a fire or a major explosion resulting from uncontrolled developments during the operation of an establishment covered by this Directive, involving one or more dangerous substances, entailing a serious immediate or delayed danger to human health inside or outside the establishment and/or to the environment.

Consequences

Combination, for a given accident, of the intensity of the effects and the vulnerability of the targets located in the zones exposed to these effects. They are expressed by defining the nature and severity of the damage caused. The term "damage" is sometimes used to designate the consequences of "physical injury or damage to people's health, or damage to property or the environment".

Danger