Study
- 17/09/2018
Fluid transfer is a common industrial operation. However, the incorrect positioning of transfer circuit during such operations, also referred to as poor alignment, is the cause of many accidents. This study, based on 372 events in the ARIA database, presents their characteristics and lessons learnt.
Flash
- 01/08/2018
Mobile acetylene cylinders are present in all sectors of activity owing to their common use on welding machines. Even if they look like risk free, these cylinders are real hazard potential ! Five major accidents in France since the beginning of 2018 drive us to remind to users and owners the risks associated to these cylinders.
Movie
- 15/06/2018
How does a technically insignificant incident turn into a media frenzy? This new film, produced by the BARPI, explains the sequence of malfunctions that led to the release of a highly olfactory component. A timeline presents how the media crisis gains momentum. Discover the experience of those who witnessed the crisis first hand and the lessons learnt from the event through numerous interviews.
Study
- 24/05/2018
The relative increase in disposal costs and regulatory requirements (an overall reduction in landfilling by 2025, and sorting at source of bio-waste) allow composting activities to continue to grow in France. This development is highly beneficial from an environmental standpoint, but it is accompanied by a significant increase in accidents in these activities. This document focuses on fires, the dominant hazardous phenomenon. The aim is to identify the vulnerabilities of these activities and propose measures to prevent and protect against accid [...]
Study
- 18/08/2017
A computer attack on an industrial control system (SCI) can cause an accident or a degraded operating mode in a factory. This document, with pedagogical vocation, illustrates through examples extracted from the ARIA database some cases that could lead to this kind of situation. In order to improve the security of the sites, a grid of questions completes the analysis as well as an item on cyber attacks types.
Lessons learned from major events towards improving hydraulic safety
Study
- 19/04/2017
Since 2010, information collected on dam-related events has been recorded in the ARIA base. By the end of 2015, a total of 228 events had been entered into the database. This summary, written jointly by the BARPI and BETCGB bureau, presents the primary lessons resulting from their analysis. The study method has focused in particular on experience feedback regarding hydro-mechanical devices and command-control systems
Temporality of accidents : When do they occur?
Flash
- 19/04/2017
Based on the analysis of 25 000 French industrial events that occurred between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2015, this document identifies trends over months, weeks, days and hours of accidents
Power outages during periods of cold weather
Flash
- 11/04/2017
Periods of cold weather are characterised by low temperatures, sometimes combined with snowfall and/or wind. Synonymous with high electricity consumption, they are often the cause of power failures and other critical systems, such as telecommunication networks, can also be affected. If energy demand is higher than production, load sharing can be implemented. But what are the risks?
The end of the switched telephone network
Flash
- 11/04/2017
In an emergency situation and primarily in the event of a power outage, only switched telephone networks (PSTN) are operational. The traditional French operator’s plan to abandon these networks in 5 years time in favour of VoIP solutions should be anticipated.
ELV and WEEE : Combating illegal treatment facilities, a challenge aimed at reducing accidental risks!
Flash
- 04/03/2016
While the fight against illegal sites in the waste sector constitutes both an environmental challenge (non-compliance with discharge standards and…
Anticipating fire and explosion risks in wood silos
Flash
- 20/07/2015
Over the past 3 years, more than 40 fires involving silos containing wood chips or sawdust have been recorded in the ARIA database. In such instances, operational difficulties are commonly encountered by emergency services (lengthy interventions, vulnerability of storage structures, etc.). Each response is therefore unique and requires comprehensive knowledge of all potential risks.
Hydrofluoric acid : the worst of all acids?
Flash
- 09/12/2015
Despite being produced 200 times less than sulphuric acid (1 M vs. 200 M tonnes/year), the ARIA database has recorded nearly 80 accidents involving hydrofluoric acid (HF) (vs. 220 for H2SO4). A series of recent accidents serves to recall its hazards, especially the serious consequences in the event of its release...
Cooling towers: Legionnaire’s Disease still running rampant!
Flash
- 18/05/2016
The group outbreak of Legionnaire's Disease in the Lisbon suburbs in 2014 has provided a sad reminder: the propagation of legionellae within the water circuits of cooling towers is a likely scenario and one capable of causing major health impacts whenever water droplets are dispersed from these towers. The regulatory regime for preventing the risk of legionellae stemming from cooling towers has been substantially modified. The regulations currently in effect in France are considered by experts to be among the most elaborate. Nonetheless, new cas [...]
Automatisms accidentology
Study
- 08/06/2015
As the second chapter of an accident analysis devoted to industrial automation within the ARIA base, this study presentes the main lessons drawn from a detailed analysis of 325 accidents of remote operated plant found in the base. These lessons and recommendations are intended to build awareness among safety professionals working at industrial facilities.
Bases for an accident study on the inerting process practiced in silos
Study
- 27/07/2015
The use of an inerting process is a means of intervention used in a fire in grain silos. However, it remains uncommon. As part of its work, the BARPI wrote a synthesis on this process based on the accidents contained in the ARIA database. This synthesis addresses the following issues : What are the conditions of use of these devices and what are the difficulties experienced by those that are involved in the implementation of these devices?