Severity of accidents with hazardous materials A comparison between transportation and fixed installations

A review of accident case histories relevant to hazardous materials has been performed. From the literature, 1793 accident case histories involving hazardous materials were identified, most of them from the period 1960–1988. Of these 1793 accidents, 39% happened during transportation. In 682 accidents the consequences included fatalities, and of these 27% involved the transportation of hazardous materials. The accumulated frequency-fatality curves (so-called fN curves) have been constructed and are close to straight lines with a slope of –1, indicating that the probability of having an accident with, for instance, more than one hundred fatalities is approximately ten times lower than the probability of having an accident with more than ten fatalities. The accidents were grouped according to transportation type, and the difference between the various groups was tested using a standard χ² approach. No significant difference between fixed installations and transportation was found for accidents having consequences above three fatalities. Differences were found between Western Europe and North America and the rest of the world. Once an accident has happened, it seems to have more severe effects outside Western Europe and North America, both for transportation accidents and fixed installations. Comparison of fN curves for Western Europe and North America from different time periods did not show significant differences, indicating that once an accident has happened, it has the same probability of escalating now, as it had 20 years ago.     

Research on the prediction model of hazardous chemical road transportation accidents

In recent years, hazardous chemicals road transport accidents have occurred frequently, causing huge casualties and property losses, and accident risk assessment has become the focus of researchers' research. To predict the risk probability value of hazardous chemical road transport accidents, first, we compiled data on road transportation accidents of hazardous chemicals in China in the past five years. And the nine nodes in the Bayesian network (BN) structure were defined in combination with relevant classification standards. The optimal Bayesian network structure for hazardous chemical road transport accidents was determined based on the K2 algorithm and the causalities between the nodes. Second, the node conditional probabilities were derived by parameter learning of the model using Netica, and the validity of the model was verified using the 5-fold cross-validation method. Last, the Bayesian network model of hazardous chemical road transport accidents is used to analyze accident examples, and the accident chain of “rear-end-leakage” is predicted, and the accident is most likely to be disposed of within 3–9 h. The study shows that the derived accident prediction model for hazardous chemical road transportation can reason reasonably about the evolution of accident scenarios and determine the probability values of accident risks under different parameter conditions.     

Research on three-dimensional visualization system of Natech events triggered domino accidents in oil-gas depots

Natech events and domino accidents happen worldwide and usually lead to severe consequences, especially in hazardous areas such as Oil-Gas depots. With the continuous development of the Oil-Gas industry and information technology, it is essential to realize the three-dimensional management and monitoring of hazardous substances. To evaluate the consequences caused by Natech events triggered domino accidents (accident chain), a matrix loop method was proposed to calculate the probability and evolution path of the accident chain. The actual layout and the real-time data of the Oil-Gas depot are input into the evaluation method in matrices, thus making the results reliable and updated. Besides, a B/S architecture system is developed to present the evaluation consequences of the proposed method. The three-dimensional visualization effects of natural disasters, technological accidents and the dynamic propagation process of the accident chain are also realized in the system to enhance the user's experience. A system application regarding lightning-triggered domino accidents was carried out to demonstrate the feasibility and rapidity of the proposed evaluation method and perform the system's operation process and visualization effects. The application results show that the system can provide effective decision-making assistance to safety management workers before the accident and guidance for emergency rescue operations during the accident.     

Trends of hazardous material accidents (HMAs) during highway transportation from 2013 to 2018 in China

Statistical analysis of hazardous material accidents (HMAs) in China from 20013 to 2018 related to characteristics and consequences is discussed in this study, revealing different time volatility, spatial distribution and accident consequence features. Yearly, monthly, weekly and hourly levels of HMAs are analysed, and the corresponding factors are discussed. The trends of HMAs are affected by different factors, such as efforts toward safety-specific rectification by the government, holidays, five-day workweek systems and daily traffic peaks. The spatial distribution trends indicate that highway transportation of hazardous materials is mostly short-distance transport. The accidents that occurred on normal road sections account for 82.76% of the total HMAs during transportation. Leaking accidents caused by HMAs account for 79.35% of the total accidents. Countermeasures focusing on improving highway transportation safety for hazardous materials are recommended.     

The role of behavioral factors on safety management in underground mines

Traditional approaches on the prevention of accidents/injuries in mines reached its limit of effectiveness in improving safety performance and a fresh approach is utmost required. Behavioral safety analysis has been identified as an effective alternative in many industries. This paper is therefore sought to examine the role of behavioral factors on the occurrence of mine accidents and injuries through a case study. Data were collected from two neighboring underground coalmines operating under a large public sector organization of India. High–low plots and t-test were done to explore the differences between behavioral characteristics of accident involved (case) and non-involved (control) workers. How these differences could cause accidents/injuries in mines was estimated through structural equation modeling. The case study results show that accident group of workers (cases) are more job dissatisfied, negatively affected, and highly risk taking compared to the non-accident group of workers (controls). The accident model path analysis shows that negative affectivity, job dissatisfaction, and risk taking behaviors predict an increased number of injuries in mines. Apart from direct influences to work injuries, negative affectivity and job dissatisfaction make workers to take more risks and behave unsafely. These findings contribute to the design of safety programs including safety training, which should be behaviorally motivated. Mine safety management of the case study mines should outskirt their age old belief that accidents/injuries are due to hazardous nature of mining and only engineering control and regulatory monitoring are sufficient for improving safety of the mines. The multivariate analysis also shows that experience bears no relationships with work injury indicating that a less experienced worker is equally likely to be injured as an experienced worker. It implies that experience though helps workers in understanding the physical hazards, however, avoiding the imminent danger is much more behavioral. The variables negative affectivity, job dissatisfaction, and risk taking behaviors are therefore crucial in avoiding accident/injuries in mines.     

低温制高纯氮生产过程危险性分析及安全对策

针对低温冷冻制取高纯度(≥99.999%)氮气和液氮的生产工艺及装置,对其生产过程中存在或潜在的危险、有害因素进行辨识和分类,并作出危险和有害程度评价;明确物料泄漏、设备缺陷、人为因素等事故致因,特别对氮窒息事故进行案例剖析。同时,应用目的树分析方法,从工艺技术和安全管理角度,提出消除或减少生产性危险及职业性危害的安全对策和措施。结果表明:在低温制高纯氮生产过程中,采取技术上和管理上的安全对策与措施,能有效预防火灾、爆炸、氮中毒等事故发生,避免低温冻伤等职业危害,从而防患于未然。     

2006-2010年我国危险化学品事故统计分析研究

本文基于＂十一五＂期间我国危险化学品事故统计数据,从事故类别、事故发生区域、事故发生时间、企业经济类型、危险化学品类别、危险化学品事故发生环节等方面进行分析,结果表明,中毒与窒息事故和爆炸事故占危险化学品事故主要类型,易燃液体、易燃气体、爆炸品和腐蚀性物质是引发危险化学品事故的主要危险物质类型,生产环节是事故发生的主要环节,违反操作规程或劳动纪律与设备设施工具附件有缺陷是导致事故的重要原因。从落实企业安全生产主体责任、提升本质安全化水平、开展重大危险源普查、建立安全监管网络、加强危险化学品产业布局、提高事故应急救援能力等方面提出了预防和控制危险化学品事故的对策建议。     

事故致因因素和危险源理论分析

基于事故的致因因素,国内外提出了各种危险源的概念和分类方式,如能量单元的危险源、两类危险源和三类危险源。我国安全生产法规和标准对事故致因因素也有"危险因素"、"有害因素"、"不安全因素"、"事故隐患"等术语形式的表述。为准确理解和运用系统安全理论和方法,应基于事故致因理论,系统分析事故致因因素,在该基础上,诠释各种危险源理论,明晰各种涉及事故致因因素的概念。分析表明:事故致因因素包括能量物质或载体、物的不安全状态和人的不安全行为以及管理因素;各种危险源的概念和分类,都是基于事故致因因素的划分和表述。     

危化品事故情景推演网络构建及关键节点分析*

为有效应对危化品事故发生与演变时存在的动态性及不确定性问题,基于事故演变过程中的关键情景状态及对应孕灾环境、应急活动和处置目标等要素,引入动态贝叶斯网络方法,构建危化品事故情景推演网络,并结合复杂网络知识,对孕灾环境和应急活动2类事故影响因素节点进行敏感性和重要度分析。结果表明:情景推演网络计算的情景节点概率符合事故发生的实际情况,能够对危化品事故在不同孕灾环境和应急救援下的演变路径进行推演,并且分析得到燃烧物、消防力量、火场环境和建筑密度等关键影响因素节点,研究结果可为事故处理提供应急辅助决策支持。     

Fire and explosion hazards during filling/emptying of tanks

Loading and unloading operations produce 8% of all accidents which occur in process plants and in the transportation of hazardous materials. A survey of 738 accidents was performed, allowing the identification of the accident type distribution and of their cause. Some considerations on flammable mixtures are also presented, and the procedures to avoid these mixtures occurring when filling or emptying a tank are briefly discussed.     

危险化学品公路运输事故新特点及对策研究

统计分析了2008年1月～2010年5月我国发生的485起危险化学品公路运输事故。从事故发生的原因、事故涉及的化学品、事故造成的危害、事故发生的月份分布及年份变化等几个方面,分析了近年来危险化学品公路运输事故的新特点及变化规律。经统计分析,道路交通事故是引发危险化学品运输事故的主要原因之一;侧翻是危险化学品车辆最容易发生的道路交通事故;而随着我国高速公路的迅猛发展,追尾造成的危险化学品运输事故数量呈上升趋势;危险化学品公路运输过程中易燃液体事故起数最多,爆炸品和毒性物质事故造成的人员伤亡最严重;春节前后取代夏季,成为近两年危险化学品运输事故高发期。针对这些特点,对我国危险化学品公路运输安全管理与监控提出了建议。     

危化品事故应急辅助决策支持系统的研究

该文提出了以一个事故工程文件处置、管理一次事故的思想。根据危险化学品事故发生的一般特点和事故处置的一般程序,建立了危险化学平事故应急辅助决策支持软件平台。该软件平台利用GIS技术实现了事故的基本情况、事故初始处置、事故事态发展、现场监测预警等功能,在软件平台的基础上搭配相应的硬件设备组成一套完整的应急辅助决策系统。     

时变条件下公路危险品罐车运输路线选择

为合理选择公路运输危险品路线,保障运输安全,将用于求解静态路径规划问题的Diikstra标号法进行推广和改进,提出指标累积值标号法,运用该方法并依据危险品罐车运输事故统计数据,建立了时变条件下以路段泄漏事故率、路侧人口密度及路段运输费用为指标的危险品罐车公路运输路线选择模型.并给出待选路线对比原则.实例应用表明,该模型充分考虑了事故概率、事故后果及运输成本3大危险品运输路线选择影响因素,使用方便且受主观因素影响小,具有较好的实用性.     

基于CiteSpace的危险货物运输研究知识图谱分析

为分析危险货物运输的研究脉络与研究现状,选择ISI Web of Science作为文献检索引擎,将1969—2017年的文献记录作为数据源,采用动态网络分析的信息可视化技术和工具(CiteSpace)进行文献共被引分析和主题共现分析,绘制危险货物运输研究的知识图谱,呈现危险货物运输研究领域的知识结构与演进规律。结果表明:1)危险货物运输研究始于20世纪60年代末,论文数量总体呈现上升趋势,并在90年代和近几年出现论文数量骤增的现象;2)Erkut、Kara、Zognafos、Bianco、Zografos等学者的文献具有重要的影响力,被引频次最多;3)研究集中在危险货物运输风险评估、路网规划、模型方法应用、风险预警、运输事故;4)研究的新兴热点涉及模型方法的创新(如禁忌搜索算法)、事故致因分析、风险应急行动、危险品运输收费等方面。     

基于危化品事故案例的决策规则提取算法研究*

为充分解析文本形式的危化品事故案例,探讨事故类型与大量事故致因间的因果关联,从化工行业入手,通过扎根理论对175起危化品事故案例进行因素提取,共确定5个子系统、19个因素、80个子因素,提出基于事故生命周期的事故致因框架;在此基础上,提出改进的Gra Apriori算法,以解决经典的Apriori无法考虑属性类别关系的问题,最终获得14个以事故类型为决策属性的规则。结果表明:这些规则从不同事故阶段细致地剖析了危化品事故所遵循的规律,重现事故的演变过程,为危化品事故风险管理提供准确可靠的预防策略和决策支持。     

Safety in the mining industry and the unfinished legacy of mining accidents: Safety levers and defense-in-depth for addressing mining hazards

Mining remains one of the most hazardous occupations worldwide and underground coal mines are especially notorious for their high accident rates. In this work, we provide an overview of the broad and multi-faceted topic of safety in the mining industry. After reviewing some statistics of mining accidents in the United States, we focus on one pervasive and deadly failure mode in mines, namely explosions. The repeated occurrence of mine explosions, often in similar manner, is the loud unfinished legacy of mining accidents and their occurrence in the 21st century is inexcusable and should constitute a strong call for action for all stakeholders in this industry to settle this problem. We analyze one such recent mine disaster in which deficiencies in various safety barriers failed to prevent the accident initiating event from occurring, then subsequent lines of defense failed to block this accident scenario from unfolding and to mitigate its consequences. We identify the technical, organizational, and regulatory deficiencies that failed to prevent the escalation of the mine hazards into an accident, and the accident into a “disaster”. This case study provides an opportunity to illustrate several concepts that help describe the phenomenology of accidents, such as initiating events, precursor or lead indicator, and accident pathogen. Next, we introduce the safety principle of defense-in-depth, which is the basis for regulations and risk-informed decisions by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and we examine its relevance and applicability to the mining system in support of accident prevention and coordinating actions on all the safety levers, technical, organizational, and regulatory to improve mining safety. The mining system includes the physical confines and characteristics of the mine, the equipment in the mine, the individuals and the organization that operate the mine, as well as the processes and regulatory constraints under which the mine operates. We conclude this article with the proposition for the establishment of defense-in-depth as the guiding safety principle for the mining industry and we indicate possible benefits for adopting this structured hazard-centric system approach to mining safety.     

2016—2020年全国化工和危险化学品事故分析研究*

为分析“十三五”期间（2016—2020年）我国化工和危险化学品事故发生情况，统计“十三五”期间化工和危险化学品事故数量及死亡人数，从发生月份、发生区域、行业分布等方面分析事故特征，从事故类别、事故环节、关键作业等方面分析事故原因，总结2011—2020年我国化工和危险化学品事故发展趋势，按照全国4大经济区域研究2013—2020年事故特征。结果表明:“十三五”期间我国化工和危险化学品事故数量呈下降趋势，死亡人数出现波动，总体形势较为平稳。2011—2020年化工和危险化学品事故风险向中西部转移趋势明显，东北、西部地区事故死亡率普遍高于东部地区。研究结果可为相关行业从业者及监管部门提供决策参考。     

Comparison of techniques for accident scenario analysis in hazardous systems

In this paper, three accident scenario analysis techniques are presented and compared regarding their efficiency vs. the demanded resources. The complexity of modern industrial systems has prompted the development of accident analysis techniques that should thoroughly investigate accidents. The idea of criteria classification to fulfill this requirement has been proposed by other researchers and is examined here too. The comparison is done through the application of Event Tree analysis, Fault Tree analysis and Petri Nets technique—two relatively simple and a more demanding methodology—on the same hazardous chemical facility in view of analyzing an accident scenario of a hazardous transfer procedure. Accident scenario analysis techniques are essential not only in learning lessons from unfortunate events in the chemical industry but also in preventing the occurrence of such events in the future and in communicating risk more efficiently.     

基于“纵深防御”原则的危化企业事故预防系统建立

危险化学品生产是当前的高危行业和安全管理的重点领域。面对事故频发的严峻形势,如何开展好危险化学品生产企业的安全管理,建立事故预防系统防止事故的发生非常关键。“纵深防御”原则作为核电厂实现核安全的一项基本原则,为核电厂长期稳定安全的发展奠定了坚实的基础,对危化企业提升事故预防能力,建立事故预防系统有较强的借鉴意义。借鉴“纵深防御”原则,文章分析危化企业应用“纵深防御”原则预防和减少事故发生的必要性,结合生产特点建立了事故纵深防御系统,对企业提高安全管理水平,预防事故的发生有重要的意义。