Report is Highly Critical of Chemical Safety in France

Feb. 6, 2002
A parliamentary report released in France yesterday takes a dim view of chemical safety in that country, claiming that risks in that industry are "poorly assessed."

A parliamentary report released in France yesterday takes a dim view of chemical safety in that country. The report is part of the investigation into a September 2001 explosion at a chemical facility in Toulouse that killed 30 people, injured nearly 3,000, and caused nearly $2 billion in damage.

The report examined 1,239 chemical plants in France and noted that in a number of cases, "the risks are poorly assessed largely due to the lack of reliable studies on the likely dangers." It suggests that the French chemical industry take a page out of the nuclear industry''s safety handbook and enact stricter safety policies and procedures.

The report recommends a number of changes, among them:

  • Establishing more and better inspection systems.
  • Requiring stricter controls on the use of subcontractors.
  • Limiting the quantities of hazardous chemicals stored on site.
  • Regulating residential growth surrounding chemical facilities.
  • Changing the structure of health and safety committees to provide a better assessment of risk.

The disaster at the Toulouse facility, operated by TotalFinaElf, a French-Belgian oil conglomerate, was caused when ammonium nitrate stocks exploded. A 1990 risk assessment of the facility dismissed the danger of such an explosion.

TotalFinaElf announced last week that it has set aside some $500 million to cover potential claims from victims, but so far, claims against the company total three times that amount.

The investigation into the cause of the explosion continues.

by Sandy Smith ([email protected])

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Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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