Natech accidents and their impact on environment caused by dangerous substance release from the SEVESO establishment

Abstract

Natural hazards, such as floods, high temperatures, freeze etc., can trigger major accidents resulting in fires, explosions and toxic releases at SEVESO establishments that process, store or transport dangerous substances. These technological “side effects” of natural-hazard impacts are called “Natech” accidents (from “natural-hazards triggered technological accidents”). With the evident increase in intensity and frequency of natural events from climate change, Natech risk is an increasing concern in major accident prevention and risk management at local, national and international level. SEVESO Directive explicitly introduced Natech risk as an important component of a dangerous site's overall risk management strategy in the safety report. This paper discusses the occurrence of Natech risk in the Czech Republic, gives examples from the past and proposes a way of Natech risk management. It concludes with recommendations on how to prepare for natural hazards that can trigger a major accident.