UNECE Risk Assessment for Industrial Accident Prevention

Risk assessment is an integral part of accident prevention. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Seminar on Risk Assessment Methodologies, held in December 2018, sought to support UNECE countries in implementing the relevant Convention provisions by providing an opportunity to exchange information and share experiences applying risk assessment methodology. Notable conclusions reached during the seminar included challenges executing transboundary risk assessment and the need for more information exchange on risk assessment methodology used in the UNECE region, including available software tools. Accordingly, this project was prioritized among recommendations from the seminar.

Chemical facility risk assessments can vary dramatically in detail and approach for many reasons, including the nature of the process, technical expertise among the risk assessment team, cultural norms, industry regulations, stakeholder involvement and availability of data necessary for certain methods. Because of this variability, it has proved challenging to understand and communicate the specific risks that a chemical installation may pose to the public (including individual, societal and environmental risks), especially in situations where a chemical facility may be located near country borders and have transboundary impacts.

Our reports were prepared as official background documents to be presented at the twelfth meeting of the UNECE’s Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents Conference of the Parties, in furtherance of its overall goal of helping member Parties reduce the impact of industrial accidents. The Convention aims to help its Parties prevent, prepare for, and respond to industrial accidents, especially those that can have transboundary effects, and fosters transboundary cooperation in industrial accident prevention, preparedness, and response.