Practical experiences of existing Dutch companies with the Seveso II Directive Eric van der Schans Senior Consultant DHV
Introduction Safety reports are best developed in the following climate: A competent company with a high level of knowledge on their activities and risks Competent authorities With an awareness of industrial activities and risks Willing to cooperate with all authorities involved No hidden agendas
Introduction Experience learns however that pitfalls are paramount Company Insufficient time, knowledge, underestimating effort required Authorities Insufficient knowledge, time Insufficient cooperation with other authorities involved Hidden agendas Consultants (or lack of consultants…)
A blueprint for developing a safety report – the start Start in advance It took 12 months to prepare the report (now down to 4 – 6 months) Start together Joint kick-off of the company and authorities (informal cooperation) Start with the most important things and the things that can be done already Safety management system and MAPP Description of the installations
A blueprint for developing a safety report – clear expectations It is a learning process For both for the operator and the authorities! Informal cooperation Means trust Concepts are confidential Is not equal to official approval in the end!
A blueprint for developing a safety report – check progress Have 2 – 3 informal meetings on: Progress Quality On progress meetings a concept-version of (a part of) the safety report is discussed. Meeting 1 – description of the establishment Meeting 2 – description of the installation and some risk assessments Meeting 3 – risk assessments and outstanding discussions
Handing in the safety report is a start, not an end…. The preparation of a safety report is a significant investment in time and resources However having the safety report is more a start than an end… Expect comments of the authorities before formal approval Expect comments during inspections and learn from inspections and incidents.