Methodologies for Industrial Accidents Analysis: Key Parameters

Abstract

This project establishes a methodology to identify the key factors influencing the initiation and development of a major accident with ammonium nitrate. Initially, the study shows a detailed analysis of the behavior of ammonium nitrate its mixtures, evaluating the physicochemical factors that influence its properties and the conditions that could lead to this substance to a major accident. This first step includes all situations that involve a dangerous evolution of the properties of ammonium nitrate. Next step is to collect information of industrial accidents with ammonium nitrate, carrying out a data processing and an appropriate screening of the information to facilitate the order and selection of useful data for this project. The number of accidents should be sufficiently representative to include in the study all the different outcomes that can occur in a major accident (fire, explosion, leakage and domino effect). Subsequently, a categorization of the collected accidents has been made according to the damages caused, the substances involved and their quantities. Then a statistical analysis of the categorization of the accidents is made to look for possible patterns leading to a serious accident. The next step is the selection of four of the thirty-six accidents collected to be analyzed in depth and related to the statistics previously elaborated. Based on this comparison, the most influential key factors in the course of a serious accident are identified. Finally, the lessons learned in these specific cases are specified, and which are also applicable to the rest of the accidents included in the project.