Periods of intense heat cause many fires, especially within the agricultural sector. But a heat wave can also give rise to other phenomena like: solvent evaporation within warehouses containing sensitive substances (nitrocellulose, peroxides, etc.), the accumulation of inflammable vapours in[...]
Gas-based extinguishing processes become attractive when water cannot be used (e.g. computer equipment, audio/video archives, ship engine rooms), yet the associated risks must not be underestimated, as witnessed by the example of CO2 systems.
While the delivery of hazardous materials by means of road transport onto an industrial site constitutes a relatively commonplace operation, all too often it leads to overly taxing the onsite reception capacities. In addition to generating economic losses, these discharges[...]
The accidents presented in this flash involve chemical reactions between incompatible products inadvertently placed into contact with one another. Encountered in all types of activities, such accidents are frequent and occur not only during the delivery of chemical products (wrong[...]
Periods of intense or extended cold weather, accompanied by temperatures well below 0°C or varying abruptly with corresponding freezing and thawing phases, are prone to incidents and accidents.
Several recent accidents in France (along with others dating further back) have recalled that the handling of fireworks in small warehouses, depots, during the preparation or execution of fireworks shows, carry risks that must be prevented at least through regulatory[...]
Three technicians were in the middle of transferring fireworks from two storage buildings to a pickup truck when a series of three explosions occurred at a fireworks factory. The three technicians were killed and the two buildings were destroyed. Alarmed[...]
An exercise was conducted at an industrial adhesives plant as part of its internal emergency plan. The firefighters and subprefect were in attendance. The scenario was an exothermic reaction resulting in smoke, with one victim in a production room. The[...]
The summary of this accident has not yet been translated. In the meantime, please refer to the French summary : Une usine chimique classée Seveso recyclant des solvants usagés est inondée à partir de 6 h lors d'une crue de[...]
Around 8:00 a.m., an operator smelled mercaptans (strong-smelling gas 110 °C). The operators assigned to performing weekend rounds failed to notice that the mixer was operating although the light on the panel was lit and the shaft at the top of the[...]
