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Examples of Hazardous Installations

Hazardous installations include factories, storage facilities and transport interfaces.  Hazardous Installations are defined as fixed industrial plants/sites at which hazardous substance(s) are produced, processed, handled, stored, used, or disposed of in such a form and quantity that there is a risk of an accident involving hazardous substance(s) that could cause serious harm to human health or damage to the environment including property.

When considering whether a particular type of installation should be subject to a Chemical Accidents Programme, the primary criteria should be on the level of risk posed by the installation.  This is not dependent on the size of the operation, but rather on:

  • the specific substances at the installation (including their quantities and the nature of their hazards);
  • the nature of the processes and safety systems involved; and
  • the extent and nature of the population, environment and property that could be impacted in the event of an accident.

There are numerous industries, and many types of facilities, that use, store or create hazardous chemicals.  These can include privately-owned and government facilities such as:

  • bulk and specialty chemicals manufacturers
  • producers and packagers of pesticides
  • fertiliser plants
  • pharmaceutical facilities
  • plastic and rubber manufacturers
  • power generators
  • liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas storage
  • power supply and distribution facilities
  • oil and chemical pipelines
  • transport interfaces
  • mining-associated chemical processing facilities
  • warehouses storing chemicals or pesticides in bulk or as packaged goods
  • pyrotechnical/explosive manufacturers or warehousing
  • refrigeration facilities
  • manufacturers of consumer products such as electronics or painted materials
  • metals refining and processing
  • ceramics producers
  • waste disposal facilities
  • water treatment plants
  • facilities that use or store chlorine or propane
  • marshalling yards
  • public utilities

While the focus of this site is on fixed installations, many aspects apply to transport of hazardous substances including aspects of preparedness planning.  Issues that relate solely to transport accidents such as the road worthiness of vehicles, loading and unloading of substances, capacity of drivers, or suitability of routes are not addressed.