Hazard analysis: identifying internal risks

The ED studies the operation of a facility (including activities), taking into account the risks of failure, whether of internal or external origin. The aim is risk management.

To draw up a hazard analysis, an inventory must be made of :

• any hazardous substances or preparations used (whether in raw materials or finished products);

• Hazardous equipment (complex industrial equipment sequences, pressurized equipment, thermogenerators, silos, etc.);

• and hazardous operations and/or situations (overhanging inhabited areas, groundwater exposure, PPRT or PPRN zones, ATEX zones, ICPE AS, etc.).

The purpose of this inventory is to identify and assess the characteristics of the area in which an operating site is located (environmental vulnerability, site configuration, etc.), combined with the products and equipment on the site itself, which may present a hazard during operation.

This sheet applies to the identification of the main hazard-initiating events, existing or potential, presented by the installations and activities (involving products) present on an industrial site, and whose origins must be defined.

The risk associated with these hazard-initiating events, and their potential impact on the environment, are assessed in the hazard study as part of the risk analysis.

The hazard study focuses on the risks, known or envisaged, potentially incurred in the event of abnormal or accidental operation of activities on the site (malfunction, natural disaster, malevolence, etc.).

The identification of internal risks focuses on the site's potential hazards. On the one hand, this involves looking at the intrinsic hazards presented by the chemicals used, in order to identify the potential dangers of a release into the natural environment (liquid spillage or gas leakage) or into the facilities. On the other hand, it is necessary to identify the hazards of the equipment present on the site and necessary for its operation (production machinery, handling equipment, boilers, etc.). It is also necessary to take into account the hazards associated with the human factor and outside contributors.

The risks that may potentially emanate from the hazards presented by the site's products and installations, as well as by the various internal and external parties working on the site, are as follows:

• fire risk ;

• explosion risk ;

• the risk of air, water and soil pollution;

• the risk of releasing toxic...