International audienceFor long with the objective of improving the protection of environment and the avoidance of accidents, plant managers, insurers, authorities, consultants, research organisations are dealing with learning from investigations of accidents involving chemicals. Many databases on accidents implying chemicals are in existence and data are shared between database developers and end users. The reliability of data is strongly related to the quality of data collected from accident investigations and their subsequent analysis. Many frameworks for collecting, recording and ensuring quality do exist, but there is a need for harmonisation. Since 1993, a working group of European Safety, Reliability and Data Association (ESReDA) "Accident Analysis" (AA) is dealing with data collection, quality, reliability and networking of accident data

Pineau, Jean-Philippe

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Directory of ESReDA accident databasesJean-Philippe PineauTo cite this version:Jean-Philippe Pineau. Directory of ESReDA accident databases. 16. ESReDA seminar, Nov1998, Anvers, France. pp.21-28, 1998. <ineris-00972144>HAL Id: ineris-00972144https://hal-ineris.ccsd.cnrs.fr/ineris-00972144Submitted on 3 Apr 2014HAL is a multi-disciplinary open accessarchive for the deposit and dissemination of sci-entific research documents, whether they are pub-lished or not. The documents may come fromteaching and research institutions in France orabroad, or from public or private research centers.L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, estdestine´e au de´poˆt et a` la diffusion de documentsscientifiques de niveau recherche, publie´s ou non,e´manant des e´tablissements d’enseignement et derecherche franc¸ais ou e´trangers, des laboratoirespublics ou prive´s.98-62DIRECTORY OF ESReDA ACCIDENT DATABASESJean-Philippe PINEAÜINERIS - Parc Technologique Alata - B.P. 2 - 60550 VERNEUIL EN HALATTE - FranceSÜMMARYSince 1993, a working group of European Safety, Reliability and Data Association(ESReDA) "Accident Analysis" has been dealing with data collection, quality, reliabilityand networking of accident data. The aim of this review paper is a description and possibleuses of the ESReDA directory (issued in 1997) of accident databases involving chemicals.First, the requirements from end-users of accident data are described on the basis of anenquiry. Then, a brief description ofthe existing directory is given. The review will end onthe current work on a guidance document for high quality databases. Details on thisguidance document will be developed in other lectures.KEYWORDSData collection, Data analysis, Reliability, Uncertainty, Accident, Hazardous material, Riskanalysis.INTRODUCTIONFor long with the objective ofimproving the protection of environment and the avoidanceof accidents, plant managers, insurers, authorities, consultants, research organisations aredealing with learning from investigations of accidents involving chemicals. Manydatabases on accidents implying chemicals are in existence and data are shared betweendatabase developers and end users. The reliability of data is strongly related to the qualityof data collected from accident investigations and their subsequent analysis. Manyframeworks for collecting, recording and ensuring quality do exist, but there is a need forharmonisation. Since 1993, a working group of European Safety, Reliability and DataAssociation (ESReDA) "Accident Analysis" (AA) is dealing with data collection, quality,reliability and networking of accident data.In the 1994 seminar "Accident Analysis" (prepared under the auspices of ESReDA), theneed of using validated and qualified data on accidents was emphasized. In a first step, itimplies the collection of reliable data. A preliminary analysis of existing databases led tothe conclusion that they are generally all "abstract" databases and result from anaggregation process of existing information. During this stage, some form of "filtering" andcoding of this information originating from various analysis occurs. Even in a directcollection of data by database operators, the interpretation of the initiating e^ents, thesequence of subsequent events and the effects and causes may be difficult owing to thelarge variety ofinvolved materials, plants, processes and causative factors.16eme seininaire ESReDA, Anvers, 16-17 novembrc 1998 f?<? ^  - -^  ^A methodology for direct investigation of accident was developed elsewhere and impliesfour main Steps : gathering evidence with a search for Information, exploring possiblescenarios, investigating the scenarios and perförming the validation of assumptions. Moredetails and lessons leamt from investigations can be found m Pineau (1996) or in the paperto be presented in this seminar : "Investigation of accidents and sharing information : anexpert point of view". Whatever the accident investigation could be, some explanation ofthe possible discrepancies between data from different databases are given by Haastrup(1994), first on an apparently well defined information such äs the reported number offatalities for the same accident. Therefore, it should be pointed out the influence of theuncertainty of data. Such findings can be extended to other types of information :chemicals and amounts involved, description of events. As a consequence, in statisticalstudies for quantitative risk analysis, uncertainty will be inherent in the accident casehistories.Despite these adverse conditions, the "AA" group had the objective to improve the currentSituation. Therefore, the involved members devoted their efforts to have a better knowledgeof the requirements from end-users of accident data, to prepare a directory of existingaccident databases and to define a guidance document for high quality databases. Thesethree aspects will be developed in this review paper.REQUIREMENTS FROM END-USERS OF ACCIDENT DATAVarious organisations (competent authorities, consultants, emergency planners andresponders, engineering companies, general public, industrial firms, insurance and bankinggroups, manufacturers of equipment, research organisations and universities) can havespecial interests in accident data.The most general and final objective is the improvement of the safety level of anequipment, a plant, a process or a System and the minimisation oflosses.In some countries, competent authorities can have access to tailor-shaped databases for theworkplace, for transport System, for a given industrial field, for large accidents implyingconsequences for man and environment. For the latter object, five databases could be takeninto consideration : MARS at the European Union level (Rasmussen - 1996), ARIA inFrance (Chaugny - 1994), FACTS in the Netherlands, MHIDAS (Painter - 1994) in UnitedKingdom and ZEMA in Germany (B renig - 1994). The main goal ofthe review of reportedaccidents is the definition of proactive policies regarding safety studies, emergencyplanning and response, the improvement of reliability of equipment and preventive andprotective devices and of safety management Systems.Manufacturers, consultants and engineering companies in Charge of the Operation anddesign of equipment and plan shall be able to identify the possible hazardous situationsarising from use and manufacturing of a given substance in order to define the safeoperating envelope (operating conditions for which no large accident and losses arepossible) of the system under consideration. Thus, the determination of failure rates isimportant.16th ESReDA Seminar, Antwerpen, November 16-17, 1998Insurance and banking companies are interested in the worst case scenarios in connectionwith the acceptability ofrisk and the definition ofinsurance premiums and money loans.The development of a safety culture in industry and in the large public can be improved byleaming from accident (case histories) at the industry level, in the curricula of scientistsand in the general education.And last but not least, accident investigation can show the lack of knowledge on theinitiation causes, sequence of events in an accident scenario and convenient preventive andprotective measures.Bearing in mind these various objectives, an enquiry was set up among these possible end-users for understanding the strengths and weaknesses ofexisting databases (Keller - 1994).During this investigation, 93 questionnaires originating from twelve countries and valid forfarther analysis were retumed. One fourth of the total were sent back respectively bygovemmental organisations and by consultants and one third by industrial firms. The threemost commonly used databases were ARIA, FACTS and MHIDAS (40 % of the answers).In this enquiry, 83 different databases either dedicated in house or generic, werementioned. This analysis allowed a better understanding of the main use of the genericdatabases and was the input for further work in "AA" group. The particular aims and theimportant features to be found in a given database are summarised in tables l and 2 inwhich the percentage of answers from responders are given.Table l - Aims*Supplying data for PercentageIdentification of accident scenariosIdentification of deficiencies in design of Operation of hazardousinstallations and hazardous SystemsEvaluation of emergency proceduresFormulation ofpolicies on national/international scaleFormulation of policies for financial and insurance companiesValidation of modeis describing accidental phenomenaImproving of total quality management of safetyEstablishment ofreliability and failure ratesComplying with regulations ar-d Standards* Multiple answers possible16th ESReDA Seminar, Antwerpen, November 16-17, 199879582614517261317Table 2 - Important features*Focus PercentageThe accident sequenceChemicals involvedHuman and management aspectsTechnological aspectsExtemal causesPhysical/chemical phenomenaHuman lossEnvironmental impactProperty and plant loss746045684054485344* Multiple answers possibleAn analysis of additional features and areas which users would like to see incorporated orimproved upon in füture accident databases are summarised in tables 3 and 4. Furtherinformation on this enquiry can be found in Keller (1994).Table 3 - Areas for improvementPercentageIdentificationTypeofactivitiesChemicals involvedEquipment involvedPhysical phenomena involved493949444016th ESReDA Seminar, Antwerpen, November 16-17, 1998Table 4 - Additional features*Additional featuresSafety managementInitiating cause - Man madeInitiating cause - NaturalEnvironment - GeographyEnvironment - PopulationEmergency response - on siteEmergency response - off siteConsequences on man - immediateMid-term consequencesLong-term consequencesFinancial costsGravity scaleViolations of regulationsReferences to litteratureQuality assuranceNotnecessary74664910968102710626Just forinformation142923272031614213321231322Usefui502329404037352040332735433929Highiyimportant297156312934246540383017244223UsefuiHighiy importantHighiy importantUsefuiUsefuiUsefuiUsefuiHighiy importantHighiy importantHighiy importantJust for informationUsefuiUsefuiHighiy importantUsefui*Numbers are percentagesA DIRECTORY OF EXISTING ACCIDENT DATABASESThe basis ofthe directory issued in 1997 (Pineau - 1997) is a description in four sections :identification, techrdcal aspects, access conditions and use, database details. Answers to anenquiry were received from 48 databases operators, but later only about 40, accepted theintroduction of Information m this directory äs a two-page form for each database.The industrial and activities are : chemical, explosives, mines, nuclear, oil includingoffshore, pesticides, refining, transport and water pollution.The main criteria for including accidents and incidents are : chemicals involved, type ofhazardous events, near miss, number of fatalities, or injuries, material and in some casesenvironmental losses.16thESReDA Seminar, Antwerpen, November 16-17, 1998When analysing in details the Undings fi-om this inquiry, it shall be pointed out that theobjectives are so various that covering all the above mentioned industrial areas andactivities is rather impossible even with a very extended database. It implies thatspecialization with experts in the field to be covered will be sought. As a consequence, abetter networking of database operators will be required. Another positive effect of anetworking will be the avoidance of multiple entries for the same incident. Improving thenetworking will require the development of a common accident data collection form on thebasis of these in existence at European level for the MARS database or at the OECD-UNlevels. Whatever this final form could be, more efforts will be devoted in general to havehigh quality input data.HIGH QUALITY DATABASESThe work under progress is dealing with various topics such äs :• database operator• database structure• data collection, recording, validation• quality assurance.Currently, the members of "AA" group considered that, in the database structure, morerelevant information shall be given on the object being exposed to the accident and itssurrounding (setting of accident), the conditions of occurrence (extemal) and theoperational conditions (infernal), the description of the accident, the causes, theconsequences, the emergency responses, the follow-up/resultant actions.Information should also make reference to the original source and consider a much largerfield of data than previously.Data currently available are : date, time of occurrence, location and establishment, workbeing done, immediate effects, accident type. Information is to be extended to peopleworking in the area, Job supervision, permits issued, procedures and safety managementSystem used, ecological components (inland, freshwater, shore, offshore - if relevant -,mid-term and long-term consequences on people and area concemed, specific process,equipment and substances involved, chain ofevents and causes ...).Regarding the emergency response (if relevant), more information is to be reported on themeasures taken with chronology and organisations involved.The follow-up is dealing with the following aspects : legal, administrative, penalties,disruption of the community life, techniques used for remediation, post-emergency survey(eco-systems, health), insurance and financial implication.16th ESReDA Seminar, Antwerpen, November 16-17, 1998Last but not least, the database structure should give a summary of the accident descriptionincluding causes related to the Operation, environment, Organisation and person, andpossibly the accident category and severity, referring to accepted scales and the lessonslearned. It should be pointed out that gravity scales (for example, the gravity scaledeveloped at the European level for industrial accidents involving dangerous chemicals -Amendola, A. et al, 1994 - ) can ease comparison and classification of accidents allowingstatistics and trend analysis and improve the reliability ofdata.In the "AA" group, such a broad work involves database operators and end-users.The final goal will be a guidance document to be included in the next revision in 1999 ofthe Directory of accident databases. Details on this guidance document will be given in apaper to be presented by E. Funnemark "High quality databases".CONCLUSIONSharing of reliable data from accidents is still questionable when looking at the variety ofindustrial situations, materials involved and origins of data. More efforts should be devotedto investigate accidents according to a well defined and accepted structure. Improvement ofthe use of reliable data can only occur if high quality data are included in the databases. Itis the task of ESReDA "Accident Analysis" working group to develop actions in this area.We would be very pleased to take into account any Suggestion for this work and to haveparticipation of new members.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTThe author would like to thank all those (especially M. B rascamp, E. Funnemark, S. Harris,A.Z. Keller, D. Painter, A. Hodin) who have been participating in the ESReDA "AccidentAnalysis" working group since 1993 and ESReDA for fünding.16th ESReDA Seminar, Antwerpen, November 16-17, 1998REFERENCESAmendola A., Francocci F., Chaugny M. - Gravity scales for classifying chemicalaccidents. Proceedings of the 7th ESReDA Seminar on Accident Analysis, Ispra (Italy),October 13 & 14, 1994, 55-67.Brenig H.W., Säger S. Uth J. - Accident information Systems and analysis in Germanybased on the federal emission protection act. Proceedings of the 7th ESReDA Seminar onAccident Analysis, Ispra (Italy,), October 13 & 14, 1994, 159-169.Chaugny M. - Experience from two years operating the ARIA dabatase. Proceedings of the7th ESReDA Seminar on Accident Analysis, Ispra (Italy,), October 13 & 14, 1994, 127-150.Haastrup P. - On the quality of information in accident case histories. Proceedings of the7th ESReDA Seminar on Accident Analysis, Ispra (Italy,), October 13 & 14, 1994, 295-305.Keller A.Z., Pineau J.P. - Initial assessment of strengths and weaknesses of currentaccident databases. Proceedings of the 7th ESReDA Seminar on Accident Analysis, Ispra(Italy,), October 13 & 14, 1994, 17-54.Rasmussen K. - The experience with the major accident reporting System from 1984 to1993. Report EUR 16341 EN, Joint Research Center, European Commisison, ISBN92-827-5529-0.Painter D. - The use of MHIDAS and other databases within the UK Health and SafetyExecutive - Proceedings of the 7th ESReDA Seminar on Accident Analysis, Ispra (Italy),October 13 & 14, 1994, 151-158.Pineau J.P. - Presentation of progress of work in the "Accident Analysis" working group.Proceedings of the 9h ESReDA Seminar on "Leaming from accident investigations andemergency response", Erlangen (Germany), November 15 & 16, 1995.Pineau J.P., Lechaudel J.F. - Towards sharing ofdata from accidents with chemicals - 2ndEuropean Meeting on Chemical Industry and Environment, EMChie 96, Alghero (Italie),September 11-16, 1996, 853-862.Pineau J.P. - Development and use ofa directory of accident databases involving chemicals- ESREL 1997 , Lisbon (Portugal), June 17-20, 1997.16th ESReDA Seminar, Antwerpen, November 16-17, 1998

Directory of ESReDA accident databases

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