TEMA explains the key points to prevent accidents such as the one in Montornés
The consultancy expert in Industrial Safety and Environment recalls the regulations to have in mind for such industries.
The Generalitat de Catalunya Department of Territory and Sustainability has announced that the solvent and industrial waste recycling company in Montornés del Vallés, in which the fires from December 11th started, had been fined several times beforehand for regulations breaching. TEMA, as a consultancy specialized in Industrial Safety and Environment, recalls the regulations to have in mid for such industries.
The first regulation to consider is the Chemical Products Storage Legislation (known as APQ in Spain), which stipulates the safety measures necessary for the activity, e. g. the minimum distance between equipment and/or structures, fire protection aspects (also in accordance to fire protection legislation), waste treatment, etc.
An additional document to consider is the Contingency Planning (known as PAU in Spain). This document describes the company’s structure and the action plan to follow in case an emergency is developed. Furthermore, the SEVESO legislation could be considered, which aims at the prevention of major accidents involving dangerous substances.
Finally, after an accident occurs, a thorough investigation, which the competent authorities have already started, is necessary. This allows the assessment of which legislation’s aspects applies for the case and/or could have been breached.
Besós river pollution
One consequence of this accident is the Besós river pollution. A scenario that in accordance to the Spanish Law 26/2007, from October 23th, of Environmental Responsibility, should be foreseen by the company when developing the Environmental Risk Analysis (ARMA in Spanish). This study evaluates the environmental risk and financially quantifies the damages that may be caused by an accident, compelling the company to have a proper financial guarantee.