1. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION, RISK ASSESSMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER
&
ROLE OF REGULATOR
YUNUS TAI
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER
GUJARAT POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

2. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Case of “RAYLAND FLETCHER”
Judgment by BRITISH COURT known as “PRINCIPLE OF RESTRICTED LIABILITY”
If any disaster occurs, PERSON will be responsible except
ACT OF GOD (Natural Disaster)
NOT DUE TO NEGLIGENCE
IF NEIGHBOUR AGREE
Case of BHOPAL GAS LEAK (1984)
Judgment by Hon’ble Supreme Court by Chief Justice Shri.P.N.Bhagwati
“PRINCIPLE OF ABSOLUTE LIABILITY”
Leads to enactment of EPA and Public Liability Insurance Act

3. DEFINATIONS
Hazard:
Something that has the potential to cause human injury, ill health and/or damage to
property (machinery and equipment) or to the environment.
Risk:
The probability (likelihood) of harm or damage occurring from exposure to a hazard, and the likely consequences of that harm or damage

4. HAZARD MANAGEMENT PROCESS
Identify the hazards
Assess the risks
Evaluate risks
Control the risks
Monitor and Review

5. IDENTIFYING HAZARDS Safety Hazards Health Hazards Environment Hazards
To identify hazards, we need to understands that hazards can be
Obvious
Hidden or
Developing

6. ASSESS THE RISK WHAT IS RISK???? Injury Illness Damage
Productivity Loss

7. FACTORS Likelihood - What is the probability of it happening?
Degree of Exposure - How often would I be exposed?
Consequence - If it occurs, what will happen?

8. RISK LEVEL Likelihood x Consequence (Severity)
Hazards can be ranked with a high to low risk

9. LIKELYHOOD & EXPOSURE
What is the likelihood of the hazard leading to an incident and possibly injury/damage?
Degree of Exposure
How long?
How often?
are you or others exposed to the hazardous situation ?

10. WHAT TO CONSIDER?
the number of times tasks are undertaken which could result in an incident;
the number of people performing the
task(s); and
the likelihood of the incident occurring while the task is being performed

11. TYPES OF HAZARD FLOODS CYCLONE DRAUGHT EARTHQUAKE SEA LEVEL RISE
CHEMICAL SPILLAGE/LEAKAGE
OIL SPILL
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS

12. RISK ASSESMENT METHEDOLOGY
Vulnerability Assessment
Institutional Appraisal
Establishment of Risk Exposure
Possible Mitigative Measures
Information Dissemination thro’
Networking/Right To Information Act

13. ROLE OF REGULATOR SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
Formal System v/s Informal System
Technology v/s Human Attitude
SHE (Safety, Health and Environment)
On Site/Off Site Emergency Plan
Documentation and Verification

14. CASE STUDY:FIRE INCIDENT AT COMMON HAZ WASTE INCINERATOR FACILITY
Fire took place at waste storage area (shed:7) at hrs. on April,3rd 2008
Message received by Authorities at hrs
First Firetender reached at hrs
GPCB with Toxicity monitoring team reached at hrs
DPMC/GNFC/ONGC/IPCL/GSFC requested for assistance
39 Firetender reached at site
Foam/DCP powder used for extinguishing
Fire brought under control at hrs
Fire totally extinguished at 5.30 hrs on morning

15. ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN
Drains blocked to contain contaminated hydrant water
1380 KL contaminated hydrant water sent to CETP for treatment
211 MT of waste collected from shed:7 and incinerated
Contaminated water (aqueous 99 MT collected from collection pit/drains and incinerated
District Collector directed DHO for continuous monitoring for health check up of people of surrounding village
GPCB/AEPS/BEIL team monitored site & surrounding areas/villages downwind collecting water/soil samples
Continuous ambient air monitoring in villages/area downwind

16. CAUSE OF INCIDENT
Pyropheric reaction that may have occurred due to presence of Iron Sulfide either present in waste/or produced on account of chemical reaction in steel drum containing sulfide
Some reactive, unstable and Pyropheric wastes may get auto ignited on contact with Oxygen
Excess storage of incinerable waste without considering compatibility of waste stored
In sufficient space for removal of leaked drums
Insufficient fire hydrant system

17. ACTION TAKEN
Directions under Water Act-1974, Air Act-1981 ad EPA-1986 issued by GPCB
Prosecution in the Court of Law under EPA-1986
Direction of Closure issued by CPCB
CPCB constituted a committee to develop guideline for “limiting storage time for storage of incinerable waste in common facility”
Guideline developed and put up on CPCB website

18. LESSON LEARNT Safety study carried out by External Expert Agency
New fire hydrant line covering all storage sheds put up
Construction of peripheral road around storage shades
Construction of additional three storage sheds and reconstruction of storage shed:7 after clean up
All storage sheds provided with smoke & heat detector system linked with peripheral water sprinkling system
Re arrangement of waste stored based on its compatibility
Alternative arrangement for incineration of waste at other common facilities at Baroda/Surat/Vapi
Local Crisis Group (LCG) for off-site mock drill
Approached NEERI to carry out study on “Post Impact of accident on Environment, Health & Property covering Safety Aspects”

19. Thank You