The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) makes routine use of its computerised quantified Risk Assessment Tool (RISKAT) in order to assess the risks from major industrial hazards. In recent years attention has been directed toward the transport of dangerous substances, and consequently HSE has developed a transportation version of RISKAT. Described is the application of Transport RISKAT to a case study in which the overall risks from a major industrial facility handling chlorine have been assessed. A novel feature of this study is the inclusion of the delivery system into the assessment, and the comparison of two transport modes: rail and road. The proposed switch from rail to road transport significantly reduces the risks from site operations. The study therefore addresses two questions: has any transfer of risks onto the transport system taken place, and if so, are the overall risks reduced as a result of the switch in mode. In addressing these questions, the report concludes that there is a considerable degree of uncertainty in the risk estimates. The effect of variability on the conclusions that can be drawn from the study is illustrated by the use of risk inputs from a number of independent sources. (A)
Abstract