Project description and aims
Data collection and analysis concerning industrial accidents is necessary in order to prevent new accidents. Inspectors need to have illustrations of accidental situations, in order to understand what happened indeed and which measures were finally taken in such situations.
Since 1999, a number of seminars on lessons learnt have been held in order to ease the dissemination and exchange of information between inspecting bodies of the Member States. During these meetings, inspectors present selected accidents by giving technical descriptions and the results of the analysis carried out (measures taken, organisational failures, systems or material that failed etc.). They also detail the lessons learnt from the accidents and their own experience during or following the accident. A short review of the applicable regulation, judicial or organizational subjects is possible. Time is left for discussion between participants.
The aim of these series of seminars is there for to continue sharing experience on accidents (explosions, fires, pollution, etc.) concerning both technical aspects and applicable regulations and reinforcing the exchange of experience between Member State inspection bodies, as well as promoting the development of good practices.
Project Reports
16th Seminar on Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(The Hague, 2024)
The seminar featured presentations on incident databases like ARIA and Storybuilder, case studies involving hydrogen, power outages, and other industrial risks, emphasizing the importance of safety culture and learning from both major and low-risk installations. Key takeaways included the need for better data sharing for trend analysis, improved assessment of safety studies, and continuous attention to safety culture across all risk levels.
15th Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(Marseilles, 2023)
The seminar was organized by BARPI (France) on behalf of the IMPEL network and involved 310 participants from 29 countries, including non-IMPEL members, who exchanged information on topics relevant to recent industrial accidents. The covered themes included source management in waste accidents, information system vulnerabilities, risks during construction/restart/testing, environmental monitoring of fumes, and the prevention of incompatible product mixtures.
14th Seminar on learnt from industrial accidents(Bordeaux, 2021)
The seminar involved 261 participants from 13 countries who discussed 19 accidents (including two outside France) across themes such as fire prevention, environmental damage assessment, unexpected situations during Covid-19, integrity of high-risk installations, and avoiding cognitive tunnelling. The report provides detailed presentations of each accident and reviews of specific topics to enhance understanding for inspectors and improve industrial safety and risk management.
13th Seminar on learnt from industrial accidents(Rennes, 2019)
The seminar addressed pertinent themes including controlling new risks, preventing multiple failures, searching for root causes, ensuring safe subcontracting, and preventing malicious intent, with presentations of 14 accidents from France and other European countries. The proceedings aim to help inspectors gain a better understanding of common phenomena leading to accidents through detailed presentations and reviews focused on specific topics.
Available also in: FR
12th Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(Lyon, 2017)
The seminar featured presentations and analysis of around sixteen recent industrial accidents, categorizing disruption factors and root causes at technical, human, and organizational levels across themes like risk evaluation in degraded conditions, emergency response, transport safety, and malicious intent.The lessons learnt from these case studies aim to enhance the understanding of accident triggers and consequences for inspectors and promote safer industrial practices.
Available also in: FR
11th Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(Lille, 2015)
The seminar brought together 294 participants representing 23 countries, including non-French inspectors, to share experience feedback on industrial accidents. The discussions covered eight accidents, including incidents in France, Italy, and Germany, focusing on themes like major fires, emergency preparedness, pyrotechnics, and accidents with cross-border effects.
10th Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(Strasbourg, 2013)
This report presents findings and analyses of various industrial accidents, categorized under themes such as sensor malfunction, characterization of hazardous phenomena, and human/organizational error. The document details specific accidents with their causes, consequences, and actions taken, aiming to provide valuable lessons for preventing future incidents. The report concludes with recommendations for handling feedback from accidents and includes an appendix on the European scale of industrial accidents.
9th Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(Aix en Provence, 2011)
This report presents a collection of case studies detailing various industrial accidents across different sectors, such as chemical manufacturing, oil refining, and transportation. These documented incidents cover the chronology of events, consequences including environmental and human impacts, and the actions taken in response. The analysis of these diverse accidents aims to provide valuable lessons learned regarding safety measures, prevention strategies, and emergency response protocols for hazardous activities.
Available also in: FR
8th Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(Paris, 2009)
This report documents and analyzes various industrial accidents presented at a 2009 seminar in Paris involving 19 countries. The primary goal is to learn from these recent accidents across diverse sectors like oil refining, chemical processing, and pipeline transport to prevent future incidents by understanding their causes, consequences, and the measures taken. The report emphasizes that feedback from accident analysis is crucial for enhancing risk prevention processes and provides valuable insights for inspectors and other stakeholders.
7th Lessons learnt from industrial accidents (Paris, 2007)
This report documents a variety of industrial accidents across sectors like chemical, petroleum, and food processing, occurring between 1969 and 2005. These case studies detail the sequence of events, their human, environmental, and economic consequences, and the actions taken in response, often referencing the SEVESO directive and the European scale for classifying accident severity. The information is intended for learning and feedback to improve safety measures and prevention strategies in hazardous industrial activities.
Available also in: FR
6th Lessons learnt from industrial accidents (Caen, 2005)
This report presents discussions from a 2006 seminar on industrial accidents, highlighting the regulatory landscape shaped by events like the AZF disaster and the crucial roles of the Prefect and DRIRE in overseeing industrial risks. It features various case studies of accidents across different industrial sectors, detailing their causes, consequences (including human, environmental, and economic impacts), and the subsequent actions taken, often assessed using the European scale. A key emphasis is placed on learning from these accidents to improve safety measures, prevention strategies, emergency response protocols, and the importance of public communication in managing industrial risks.
5th Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(Dijon, 2003)
This report summarizes presentations and discussions from a seminar held in Dijon in November 2003 concerning lessons learned from various industrial accidents, primarily occurring in France and nearby countries in the preceding years. The document details specific incidents across different sectors such as chemical plants, refineries, and storage facilities, outlining the causes, consequences (including human, environmental, and economic impacts), and the immediate actions taken. A key focus is placed on utilizing feedback from these accidents, including the application of the European scale of industrial accidents, to enhance risk prevention, safety management, and regulatory oversight.
Available also in: FR
4th Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(Bordeaux, 2002)
In this report, the detailed case studies cover a range of incidents in sectors like chemical processing, storage, and transportation, outlining their causes, consequences (including human, environmental, and economic impacts), and the immediate responses and subsequent actions taken by operators and regulatory bodies like the DRIRE. A key emphasis throughout the conference was on leveraging the feedback from these accidents, particularly in light of the recent AZF disaster in Toulouse, to enhance risk prevention strategies, safety management systems, and regulatory oversight in accordance with directives like SEVESO and the use of industrial accident severity scales.
Available also in: FR
3rd Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(Reims, 2001)
This report synthesizes lessons learned from industrial accidents discussed at a June 2001 IMPEL meeting in Reims, involving ICPE/IMPEL inspectors. It presents summaries of various accident case studies, primarily occurring around 1999 and 2000 in different industrial sectors, detailing the events, consequences, and actions taken. The analysis of these real-world incidents aims to provide concrete feedback and improve risk prevention strategies, emergency response, and discussions with industrialists regarding safety measures.
Available also in: FR
2nd Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(Lyon, 2000)
The document presents case studies of specific incidents occurring around 1998-2000 across diverse sectors such as chemical manufacturing, storage of hazardous substances, and waste management, detailing their causes, consequences, and the immediate responses. A key emphasis of the meeting was on enhancing accident reporting, utilizing feedback mechanisms like the BARPI and MARS databases, and understanding the implications of the SEVESO II directive for improved risk prevention and safety management.
Available also in: FR
1st Lessons learnt from industrial accidents(Lyon, 1999)
In this seminar series, inspectors present selected accidents (explosions, fires, pollution, etc.) by giving technical descriptions and the results of the analysis carried out (measures taken, organisational failures, systems or material that failed etc.). They also detail the lessons learnt from the accidents and their own experience during or following the accident. A short review of the applicable regulation, judicial or organizational subjects is possible.
Available also in: FR