The cost of neglecting process safety

When organisations neglect the importance of process safety, the consequences can be catastrophic, impacting not only the company but also individuals and the environment. Historical incidents underline the severe consequences of such negligence, shaping the landscape of process safety today. Several key examples are highlighted below, which underscore the imperative nature of investing in process safety. It is not a choice but a necessity to safeguard lives, protect the environment, and ensure sustainable industry operations.

The Seveso disaster of 1976, originating from a toxic cloud release of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin at the ICMESO chemical factory near Milan, resulted in widespread environmental and health ramifications. The evacuation of affected residents, numerous hospitalizations, and long-term uncertainties highlighted the profound repercussions of inadequate process safety measures.

The Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984, involving the release of 40 tons of toxic methyl isocyanate gas from a pesticide plant, led to thousands of fatalities and enduring health issues, showcasing the human toll of process safety failures.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, stands as a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences when safety mechanisms fail. A blowout triggered extensive marine and wildlife damage, coupled with billions of dollars in fines and cleanup costs.

In the next chapter, “Lesson learnt from accidents”, we will delve into the causes and consequences of these major accidents, emphasising the invaluable lessons learnt from them.