PROJECT 095: SAFETIC - Safe transportation and installations using chemicals

Context

The storage, the use and the transportation of chemicals is crucial in all sectors which are vital for the economic development. However, major-accidents (fires, explosions and release of toxic substances) involving dangerous chemicals pose a constant threat to humans, environment and the economy. A series of major-industrial and transportation accidents recalls the need for better management and prevention of risks related to chemicals. African countries are particularly vulnerable to these threats.

Overall objective

Starting with Project 41 in 2015, then Project 69 INSTASUR and Project 71 SECTRANS in 2017, the African Atlantic Façade, with project 95 SAFETIC, concludes the cycle aimed at strengthening of the capacity building in partner countries to prevent major-accidents involving dangerous chemicals and to ensure appropriate preparedness and response should such accidents nevertheless happen in the installations or during the transportation.

Specific objectives

1. To draw up a major-accidents prevention policy at national and regional level
2. To strengthen the capacities to assess the risks and to draft the safety reports
3. To assess the consequences of an accident
4. To draft emergency plans in case of transportation or industrial accidents
5. To ensure appropriate preparedness and response
6. To set up a voluntary regional expertise network

Activities

1. Supporting workshops led by future local experts to draft the legal framework
2. Drafting (by future local experts) the safety reports on three (3) main hazards: fire, explosion and release of toxic substances
3. Assessing physical and toxic effects and associated damages with the ADAM software tool developed by the JRC*
4. Strengthening the skills of all local experts to respond in case of industrial and transportation accidents.
5. Developing and testing by future local experts the emergency plans with field exercises on the spot in 3 installations
6. Setting up a regional training network which will make available local expertise for the region.

* Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission

Achievements (expected)

At regional level

• A framework to prevent the major-accidents due to the installations and the transportation of chemicals

• A guide to draft the safety report including the hazards: fire, explosion, release of toxic substance
• A standard to prepare the internal and the external emergency plans
• 1 regional training session in Mauritania on the major-accidents (2 weeks)
• An expertise network on the major-accidents

In each partner country

• 3 safety reports drafted by local experts with the support of the international experts
• 9 emergency plans performed by local experts with the support of the international experts
• 3 field exercises led by local experts
• 10 training sessions outside the capital
• 1 guide to inspect the installations and the transportation of dangerous goods