INDUSTRIAL SECTOR DISASTER CONTINGENCY PLAN

Transcription

1 SEYCHELLES NATIONAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PROJECT (GFDRR/IBRD) INDUSTRIAL SECTOR SEYCHELLES CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR CHEMICALS APPLIED WITHIN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR 1. October 2011 DRAFT 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENT 1. INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES DEFINITIONS Mayor Accident Disaster OVERALL CONTINGENCY PLANNING ROLES / RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENCIES; DETAILED DESCRIPTION Mitigation Preparedness IMPLEMENTATION CONSTRAINS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTIENGENCY PLAN

3 1. INTRODUCTION This Seychelles Contingency Plan for Hazardous Materials Applied in the Industrial sector has been prepared under the SEYCHELLES NATIONAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PROJECT (GFDRR/IBRD) in close cooperation with the Division for Risk Disaster Management (DRDM) under the Ministry of Environment and other key stakeholders. In preparation of the Contingency Plan an assessment of the risk and safety aspects posed by the chemicals stored and used within the industry have been undertaken. The findings of the assessment are that the largest quantity of chemicals is stored in the Victoria area, as indicated on the inserted map. Figure 1: Location and quantity of chemicals on Mahe Petroleum products make out the, by far largest, part of the chemicals and are found within the compound of SEYPEC, PUC and at the airport storage facilities. LPG is also present in large quantities within SEYPEC. Of particular concern is the presence of ammonia which is found at Indian Ocean Tuna (IOT), Oceana Fisheries as well as tuna fishing vessels at the long pier. Also Chlorine used in the water treatment facilities poses a large risk. 3

4 Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMME) in Seychelles is found to possess very little chemicals that can pose serious risks. On the other hand the SMME often is located within residential areas and therefore even accidents involving small amounts of toxic chemicals may have a serious impact on people living in the near vicinity. Based on the above finding this first Seychelles Contingency Plan for Hazardous Materials applied in the industrial sector has been developed. It serves primarily as an 'umbrella' document for hazardous materials emergency mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. It shall be used in conjunction with other related documents as deemed necessary. In particular there is a close link to the drafted Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (May 2010) prepared by the Fire and Rescue Services Agency The Contingency Plan is written for state response agencies in Seychelles to help guide them in understanding the state's role in hazardous material emergencies. However, the Contingency Plan can also be used by governmental institutions and private organizations to clarify their roles and relationships concerning hazardous material emergencies. 2. OBJECTIVES The objective of the Contingency Plan is to: Protect human health and safety, property, and the environment; This shall be achieved by: introduce the four stages of the contingency plan for hazardous materials; provide mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery measures and guidance delineate the authorities, and roles / responsibilities of agencies in responding to hazardous material incidents; Impose measures on the industry to implement risk and safety procedures in order to manage and reduce the risk posed by the chemicals stored on their premises. 4

5 3. DEFINITIONS There is a demand for establishing a common definition of when an accident is to be considered a mayor accident and when the implications and effects are so large that the accident can be classified as a disaster. The definitions below are used in the European regulation dealing with large accidents. The criteria presented have been adjusted slightly to reflect the Seychelles conditions being a smaller economy and having a more sensitive environment. The problem with the criteria of applying the criteria is that it is only after having managed the accident it is possible to determine the full impact. For the use in an emergency situation the potential and expected impact shall be assessed and used for deciding on the emergency response operations. 3.1 Mayor Accident An accident is defined as a Mayor Accident in case it is involving a dangerous substance and is expected to rise to one of the following events: Injury to persons and damage to real estate a death, four persons injured within the establishment and hospitalized for at least 24 hours, one person outside the establishment hospitalized for at least 24 hours, dwelling(s) outside the establishment damaged and unusable as a result of the accident, evacuation or confinement of persons for more than 2 hours (persons hours): the value is at least 300, interruption of drinking water, electricity, gas or telephone services for more than 2 hours (persons hours): the value is at least 500. Immediate damage to the environment Permanent or long-term damage to terrestrial habitats: 0,2 ha or more of a habitat of environmental or conservation importance protected by legislation, 3 or more hectares of more widespread habitat, including agricultural land, Significant or long-term damage to freshwater and marine habitats 2 km or more of river or canal, 1 ha or more of a coastline or open sea, Significant damage to an aquifer or underground water 1 ha or more. 5

6 Damage to property damage to property in the establishment: at least 5 million SCR damage to property outside the establishment: at least 1 million SCR 3.2 Disaster A disaster is considered to have occurred if the expected impact is / or have proven to exceed 5 times of any of the above mentioned criteria or exceeding the national capacity to cope with the situation. 4. OVERALL CONTINGENCY PLANNING The four phases of emergency management employed before, during, and after an incident are identified as Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery (as illustrated below). These terms are defined, henceforth, and their implications for this project are highlighted. MITIGATION RECOVERY PREPAREDNES RESPONSE 6

7 1. Mitigation: Reducing the risk to people, property and the environment is the basic goal of emergency management. The Mitigation Phase, therefore, is considered the principal foundation of emergency management because it helps reduce the number of victims, property loss, and environmental damage. The mitigation phase is an ongoing effort to prevent or lessen the possibility of future emergency or disaster incidents and the impacts they have on people, property, and the environment. At present there is no regulation which control safety features and procedures within the industry. To address this problem this Contingency Plan foresee implementing a Bill which target to control and manage the risk posed by the industry The intended Bill makes provision for mitigation measures that industry have to abide to and be accountable for to local authorities. The preparation of Response plans, Risk assessment, Audits and reports are some of the salient features. 2. Preparedness: Preparedness consists of activities undertaken in advance of an emergency. Preparedness encompasses the 'knowledge and capabilities developed by Government, professional response and recovery organisations, communities, and individuals in advance to effectively anticipate, respond to and recover from, the impacts of likely, imminent or current hazard events or conditions'. From the same tangent, the provisions made in the intended Bill makes provision for preparedness measures that industry have to abide to, and be accountable for, to local authorities. The preparation of Major Accident Prevention Policies and Internal Emergency Response Plans is the key document for the companies. The preparedness issue however also requires that the government establish Specific External Response Plans for the companies where a high risk is present. A separate document 'External Emergency Response Plan' has been created to cater as a template for this component. The preparedness further touches on capacity building, training and conducting drills, etc.. how this is foreseen for Seychelles is further described in the detailed description in section Response: The response phase consists of the immediate response to a hazardous materials incident to minimize its effects on public health, property, and the environment. 7

8 It includes measures such as notification, execution of emergency plans, activation of the Disaster Command Center and the National Disaster Committee, mobilization of resources, issuance of warnings and providing directions to the public on how act, provision of medical and social services assistance, and declaration of emergencies or disasters if the accident is resulting in such large impact. A diagram showing the various decisions and actions is presented below in section Recovery: The recovery phase restores communities and/or the environment to their preemergency condition, and includes measures such as: physical restoration and reconstruction; counselling, financial assistance programs; temporary housing; cleaning up contaminated areas; debris removal; treating contaminated ground and surface water; providing health and safety information and eliminating and/or reducing any known hazards; restoring businesses and recreational facilities. The work under this phase is not under the same stress as the response phase and is straight forward in the sense that the Ministry responsible for Risks and Disaster, which would operate the Command Centre, as a representative and under the control of Government, would coordinate and make provisions for the recovery phases. 5. ROLES / RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENCIES; Of the many types of emergency situations encountered, few are as potentially complex as that of a hazardous materials incident. In any type of hazmat incident, many agencies may become involved where each has different interests, responsibilities and authorities, yet all having the common goal of protecting life, property, and the environment. Due to past experience, there have been role conflicts and duplications of responsibilities among key responders during an incident. Therefore in order to provide a coordinated response effort it is important that roles and responsibilities are predefined and known to all parties. In the event of a disaster the President, as head of the state and chairman of the NDC will take leadership and provide guidance to other agencies, response operations and recovery. The overall coordinating body shall be the permanently manned Command Center within the DRDM. 8

9 As for all HAZMATs disasters resulting in FIRE, RELEASE OF GASSES or potential for EXPLOSIONS, as well as impact on the Environment only the Fire and Rescue Services Agency should enter the HOT ZONE. Other authorities and agencies, such as the Police, Health Department, Red Cross Society, Environment Department, and media should remain within the area specified by the incident's site commander, (the Fire and Rescue Services Agency). The Police should control the public from entering the concealed area. The Health Department should provide health services needed, the Red Cross Society shall be responsible to provide humanitarian aids and assist the health Department ONLY upon its request. For ENVIRONMENTAL disasters the Ministry of Environment shall pay a key role and provide assistance for assessing the risks for the environment and back up to the Fire and Rescue services Agency which will be responsible for coordinating the activities and ensure that the recovery phase is completed successfully. Communication Communication between DRDM, NDC and the on scene Commander is fundamental and good communication equipment is essential for the operations Communication to external parties (Mass Media) must be censored and authorised at al times by the Command Center and the NDC. Communication related to external assistance must be communicated by the office of the President and assisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Environment, respectively. After having controlled the accident there have to be undertaken an investigation into the factors leading to the accident. The findings of these investigations also have to be communicated to the public in an easy understandable language. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In section 4 above the overall concept of Contingency planning was given. In this section a more detailed explanation on the activities foreseen is provided. 9

10 6.1 Mitigation The mitigation activities shall prevent or lessen the impact of future emergency or disaster incidents and the impacts they have on people, property, and the environment. To achieve this Contingency Plan foresee implementation of measures which shall control and manage the risk posed by the chemicals hold by the industry Bill for controlling the risk posed by Hazardous materials A key component to achieve this is the implementation of a Bill focusing on protection of the people, property loss and environment and putting in place requirements related to safety management systems, emergency plans and land-use planning as well as provisions on inspections and public information. It also opens for the possibility to prohibit operations. The intended Bill shall be imposed on ALL companies which stores hazardous chemical specified in a comprehensive list attached to the intended Bill The key component of the proposed Bill is the before mentioned list of named substances and categories of substances having hazardous properties. The list defines whether the activities of the enterprise are covered by the Bill and what activities the company has to put in place. If the activity is regulated by the Bill the operator shall comply with the following General obligations of the operator The operator shall take all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and to limit their consequences for man and the environment. The operator is required to prove that all the necessary measures have been taken. Notification The Bill makes it obligatory for ALL companies to notify the authorities if they hold any of the dangerous substances mentioned in the intended Bill. There is no lower limit for the quantities. The notification must contain details on establishment and types of chemicals used etc. Major Accident Prevention Policy In order to prevent accidents, the operators are obliged to draws up a document setting out his major accident prevention policy, and ensure that the policy is properly implemented. Safety report Companies which holds or exceed the quantities mentioned in Annex 1 of the intended bill must produce a safety report for the purposes of: 10

11 demonstrating that a major-accident prevention policy and a safety management system have been put into effect; demonstrating that major-accident hazards have been identified and that the necessary measures have been taken to prevent such accidents and to limit their consequences; demonstrating that adequate safety and reliability have been incorporated into the design, construction, operation and maintenance of any installation, storage facility, equipment and infrastructure connected with its operation which are linked to major-accident hazards inside the establishment; demonstrating that internal emergency plans have been drawn up and that the plans are reviewed at least every three years; supplying information to enable an external emergency plan to be drawn up; providing sufficient information to the authorities. Precautions regarding location The authority must identify establishments or groups of establishments where the risk or consequences of a major accident could be increased due to the location and the proximity of the establishments and their holdings of dangerous substances. There shall be an exchange of information and cooperation between the establishments. Further it specifies that prevention of major accidents shall be taken into account when developing land-use policies. Public access to information Information on safety measures and on the requisite behaviour in the event of an accident shall be provided to persons likely to be affected by a major accident. The authorities must also ensure that safety reports are made permanently available to the public. Inspection The authorities must organise a system of inspections to ensure that the enterprises comply with the requirements of the Bill. Prohibition of operations The authorities must prohibit the operation where the measures taken by the operator for the prevention of accidents are inadequate or where the operator have not submitted the required documentation: On the next page a diagram presenting the obligations of the enterprises are presented. 11

12 6.1.2 Sensitisation of the public Another mitigation action should be sensitisation of the public to make them understand the danger posed by the hazardous materials. Any observation of improper use or storage should be encouraged to be reported to the authorities. The sensitisation of the public shall be achieved by a target information campaign. 6.2 Preparedness When an emergency or disaster strikes, the best protection is to know what to do. The preparedness activities are therefore primarily designed to develop operational capabilities and improve response to hazardous materials incidents. Preparedness activities are conducted by all levels of government and the private sector to ensure that when an emergency or disaster strikes, emergency responders and managers will be able to provide the best response possible. These activities would include, but not be limited to, the following: emergency plans, mutual aid agreements, resource inventories, warning systems and procedures, emergency communications, training, drills and exercises, and response planning. Command Center to be established DRDM, under the leadership of its Ministry, is in the process of establishing a Disaster Command Centre. This center will allow the DRDM to be permanently on alert and would insure immediately and coordinated response to a disaster or major incident. It is of paramount importance that the centre is equipped with all necessary self supporting telecommunication equipments and has access to internet information. Further a proper needs assessment of all other equipments should be conducted. It is assumed that prior to its establishment qualified and experienced HAZMAT personnel would be recruited. As the capacity concerning HAZMAT is limited on Seychelles it is suggested that the youth with the proper aptitude would be recruited and trained accordingly to develop in country capacity. 12

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14 Establishment of Warning System Another key component of the preparedness phase is the establishment of a Public Warning System in the main Victoria area. Such system would be useful for all type of disasters and would ensure the fast attention of the public to the information provided by the Disaster Command Center who also shall operate the siren. The subsequent diagram graphically indicate where these sirens be installed such that during an emergency situation, the general public would be alerted by means of the sirens. It is expected that 4 of these sirens would be sufficient to cover the most risky area on Victoria. The cost for implementing a fully self sustainable warning system as indicated above is expected to cost around 150,000 USD (ex works). For SEYPEC, posing the by far largest risk in the Victoria area, it is suggested to establish a direct phone line to the Disaster Command Center. 14

15 Training Training of personnel of the Disaster Command Center with respect to HAZMATs, is a priority. This need to be continuous and all key stakeholders should be involved. Training and exercises by the Fire and Rescue Services Agency with respect to fire fighting and well as other needs identified, need to be carried out. Training of Port Authority and Customs personnel in identifying and assessing the HAZMATs entering the ports, including the international airport of Seychelles, need to be emphasized. The DRDMas has been indicated above, need to have its personnel fully trained in HAZMATs risks assessment. Inspectors from various authorities need special trainings, with respect to HAZOP and Risk analysis, whilst also catering for the needs of other stakeholders, such as SMMEs operators. Drills/ Exercises Drills are an important part of the preparedness phase of the emergency management phase. It helps testing the effectiveness of plans, procedures, training, and equipment as well as it helps each participant in the process to understand his role better, thus avoiding role conflicts and duplications of responsibilities from creating disasters in themselves. To be useful, emergency plans must be tested regularly in realistic situations; therefore, it is important that every emergency response program include a drills and exercises schedule The following types of drills/exercises shall be held at regular intervals Orientation sessions Implementation Tabletop Exercise Orientation sessions work well for basic instruction and explaining emergency procedures. The low stress environment allows participants to absorb information and ask questions for clarity. Written tests may be employed to ensure some level of comprehension by the attendees. 2 sessions every year may cover other aspects than hazardous materials Tabletop exercises or workshops are often the first type of exercise to be performed, during which a typical emergency scenario is used and the related emergency plans and procedures that would be utilized in such an event are reviewed by the appropriate response agencies and industry. 15

16 Functional Exercise Full-Scale Exercise Implementation Implementation Implementation Potential problems are identified and each entity present must provide certain information necessary to address the problems. The idea is to present the participants with a fabricated emergency situation, have the participants verbally respond to a series of questions, and then evaluate whether the responses are consistent with the plan, procedures, and/or training. If the responses are not consistent with them, revisions or additional training must be undertaken. This type of exercise generally involves command personnel and mid to upper level managers. No real movement of personnel or resources occurs, and no time pressure or stress is placed on the participants. 2 sessions every year one session may cover other aspects than hazardous materials The next step is the functional exercise, which tests or evaluates broad functional capabilities in the plan and resources in a stressful environment similar to an actual emergency. By using a series of pre-scripted messages, the simulation team sends information into players assigned to implement the emergency plan or procedures. Both the simulators and players responding to the exercise are focused on implementing the plan and/or procedures to test their validity. While a tremendous amount of employee time is needed to develop and stage a functional exercise, it is the most appropriate use of time to test the emergency plan, procedures, and/or training. 1 exercise every year may cover other aspects than hazardous materials Large full-scale exercises are conducted in the field and are the most costly and time-consuming of the different types of exercises. This type of exercise challenges the whole emergency management system in an intensely stressful environment (usually based on real time). Simulated events and messages are used to test a major portion of the emergency plan. Personnel and resources are actually mobilized to and moved within an incident scene. 1 exercise every 2 years may cover other aspects than hazardous materials As in real incidents, each exercise should have an after action report or exercise critique to ensure that the exercise met its objects and to clearly define additional planning or training that may be necessary. It also can identify resource shortfalls in terms of equipment, supplies, personnel, and training. 16

17 Equipment and materials / chemicals The Government shall ensure that the most important equipment for dealing with disasters are available within their agencies. However, it would not be cost efficient for the Government to procure all equipments and materials which might be required for an HAZMATs disaster. It is worthwhile to note that the frequency of HAZMAT disaster is limited, thus the best option would be to depend on organisations from the private sector / parastatal organisations owning such equipments and materials. In line with the preparedness strategy there should be drawn up a list of key contact persons, with contact details, who possesses equipment and materials. Also a regular check whether the equipment and materials are available shall be performed. Establishment of Warning label system The SAICM (Strategical Approach to International Chemicals Management) project under the Ministry of Environment is currently in the process of implementing the Global Harmonised System (GHS) for labelling of chemicals. Such system would be useful for the responders as they will be able to obtain information on the scene. It is therefore encouraged that the GHS is implemented as fast as possible Examples of danger symbols Similarly it is proposed that the movements of hazardous goods are controlled in accordance with the ADR convention. This convention provide detailed information on the type of packaging which can be accepted for storing chemicals and provide instructions on how to label the individual container and an the trucks carrying the materials. ADR plate for tanker carrying diesel This information again provides information to the first responders and allows them to take their precaution measures. 17

18 3. Response Notification In case of an accident it shall be clear to the public who they shall call to inform about the accident. In most cases they will call the Fire and Rescue services however when the Disaster Command Center is established the public should be informed that they also may call the Disaster Command Center in case of accidents. For some of the mayor industries an individual assessment shall determine whether a direct line from the company to the Disaster Command Center shall be considered. Response Plans Company Response Plan Companies holding large quantities of hazardous materials are by the Bill obliged to have emergency response plans in place for their enterpise DRDM Response Plan Similar the Bill also imposes the Competent Authority to develop specific emergency response plans such that easy activation can be made Attached to this Contingency Plan a general template for an External Emergency Plan is provided. Government actions in responding to HAZARDOUS MATERIAL incidents A disaster call may be received from anybody who have seen or been experiencing a accident. The call may be received by the Fire and Rescue Services Agency, the Seychelles Police or the Department of Risk and Disaster (DRDM) or any other institution. Whichever is the recipient of the distress call, the authorities SHALL communicate to each other with immediate effect. This is critical, such that these first responders are aware of the situation and their personnel are activated and dispatched to the scene for very specific reasons. The DRDM would need to assess the situated together with Wildlife, Enforcement and Permit Division, the Fire and Rescue Services Agency, to start responding to the situation based on the scheme developed in the drafted Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (May 2010) and the Seychelles Police to control the crowd. Upon the assessment of the situation, DRDM is to take a decision as to whether the phenomenon is a minor accident or a major accident or a disaster. In case it is considered a minor accident, the Fire and Rescue Services Agency and the Seychelles Police, would take care of the situation. In case it is considered a major accident DRDM 18

19 would activate the Command Centre and notify the Principal Secretary for Environment on the situation, giving specific details as much as possible, based on the assessment conducted. The PS would subsequently notify the President. If DRDM decide that the accident is to be considered a disaster they will notify the President directly, who is also the chairman of the National Disaster Committee. The President would then call for the National Disaster Committee to assembly. Based on the available information provided by the Disaster Command Center the NDC will provide specific instructions on how to tackle the situation will be given. DRDM would initiate immediately response based on the external response plan for the affected company, and communicate to the public and the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health, the Seychelles Police, the Fire and Rescue Services Agency and the Seychelles People Defence Forces. The scene commander, Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency, would rush to the scene and provide on scene information to Command Centre, and the Command Centre would communicate to the National Disaster Committee (NDC) after careful assessment of the information received. This is vital in order to avoid duplication of roles and miscommunication between the different parties. The NDC would instruct the first responders on scene but at the same time notify the Command Centre so that there is no duplication and confusions. DRDM and the NDC will then have to decide whether there is a need for urgent foreign assistance, and if so, the President would initiate such a request. Upon receipt, of such foreign assistance, Once the accident and scene has been brought under control the Ministry for Environment together with the Fire and Rescue Services Agency and other relevant agencies will asses whether or not the site may be declared safe based on investigations carried out on the scene of accident. In the aftermath of the accident DRDM would together with the company and other relevant agencies shall perform detailed investigations into the course of the accident. The findings shall be compiled and submitted in a detailed report to the Government. If again there is a need for foreign assistance, based on the report, this request would be initiated by the President of the Republic of Seychelles and DRDM would initiate and coordinate the assistance provided getting the situation back to normal. DRDM shall share the lessons learnt to the general public and Government would take decisions to mitigate any anomalies that have caused the disaster. 19

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21 Finally the Government will have to decide, who are the victims and the culprits of the given situation. The former would need to be assisted whereas the culprits would need to be with legally and Government would have to decide on the way forward. 4. Recovery This stage of the process is not under the same stress as the response phase, although there also in this phase is a need for quick decisions to be taken. The basic recovery deals with providing first aid, post trauma consultation, housing and basis facilities to the people affected. Secondly securing the scene and collecting evidence is a key task. Based on the collected information MoE and the Fire, Rescue Services Agency and other relevant agencies will perform a rapid assessment of the accident to verify that the site is safe. Further Investigations into the accident shall be conducted by the DRDM and other relevant agencies to identify the course of the accident. Also there shall be an assessment of the emergency response operations and in case improvements are identified modifications shall be existing scheme. In the recovery phase the NDC may also seek external assistance and support not only to deal with the accident but also to develop capacity if such have shown to be lacking during the investigations. On a more grim side the Government and the DRDM need to consider how to deal with large numbers of fatal casualties which may be the result of a large scale disaster. 7. IMPLEMENTATION Due to recent accidents involving chemicals, the large risk posed by chemicals and the amount and magnitude of disruption and loss in case of a major incident or disaster involving chemicals this current Contingency Plan shall have political support from the highest Authority, down, for its implementation. This is further made necessary as Seychelles being a small island state has a fragile economy which depends heavily on imports and has tourism as the main economic activity. By all means, it is critical that Seychelles mitigate all potential risks related to HAZMATs preventing the beautiful sceneries to be disturbed. On the same time it is also important not to but up too many restrictions for the industry but to leave enough room for the industry to development. 21

22 It is vital, thus, that Government encourages all stakeholders to take a holistic approach in implementing the integrated component of the contingency plan with the aim of encouraging safe operations and economic sustainability for the benefit of Seychelles and its future generations. Once the Contingency Plan have been implemented there will be need for rigorous and strict enforcement, as this is the only way to control the situation. A continuous improvement process should be encouraged during implementing this contingency plan, with the aim of refining the process and its components as a whole. It is expected that through the implementation of this contingency plan, organisations at all level would be more conscious of their corporate responsibility related to risk of activities. Land use planning, permitted use, and occupancy are some of the issues that need to be considered seriously. It is expected that by middle 2012 this contingency plan shall be implemented, after approval has been granted. This time frame has also been chosen given the need to raise awareness of all concerned about HAZMATs, thus allowing for a transitional period and time to change from one form of practices which in most cases a laissez faire approach, to one that is more disciplined. 8. CONSTRAINS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTIENGENCY PLAN With regards to HAZMATs major incidents and disaster, there is a lack of awareness by most firms in the country, and the general public and this needs to be surmounted by means of sensitization programmes on a continuous basis. This is important despite the fact that Seychelles does not have chemical industries, but the fact the HAZMATs are used for value added purposes, this raises a point of concern. With regards to finance, there are also implications for both the public and private sectors. The public sector would need to pump in additional funds to support programmes to be implemented and the private sector needs to make time to become familiar with the best practice principles highlighted therein this document. Needless to say, the private sector should not complain about time being used for this purpose, as it is critical that they are perpared for any eventuality, thus ensuring sustainability of their businesses. Human resources need to have the capacity to deal with any situation, and this is true across the board. Private sector actors, the public sector actors, inter alia, need to understand the implications of HAZMATs which are not stored and used properly from 22

23 an environmental and economics viewpoints and how they should mitigate risks associated with such incidents. There is expected to be an issue with the capacity of ministerial staff as well as key persons within the industry. To facilitate the building of capacity the DRDM shall initiate a series of workshops dealing with risk and safe aspects within the industry. Also there is need for developing local consultancy capacity to assist the industry in assessing the risks and conduct risk analysis / HAZOP studies. There is a need for conducting a need assessment related to available equipment and materials which will and might be used in case of a disaster. 23