Abstract

CRUZ, Ana Maria. Challenges in Natech Risk Reduction. rev.ing. [online]. 2012, n.37, pp.79-86. ISSN 0121-4993.

Natech refers to a conjoint natural and technological hazard or accident. This paper is concerned with Natechs involving hazards arising from the handling, processing and/or storage of hazardous materials, as well as the transportation of oil and gas by pipeline. Risk management of chemical accident hazards has generally been carried out using industrial risk management regulations and practices, engineering safety codes and standards, environmental regulations, and land use planning. However, there is evidence that existing regulations and practices may not be suffcient if the particular conditions associated with Natechs have not been factored in. Awareness of the need to better address Natech risk has been on the rise; nevertheless, this is not refected suffciently in the laws and re-gulations of individual countries, and a general framework for the governance of Natech risk is lacking. This paper provides an overview of Natechs, their characteristics, and the problems associated with Natech risk management.

Keywords : Natech; industry; chemical accidents; risk management; risk governance.

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