Ibrahim M. Shaluf, Fakharul‐razi Ahmadun, Sa’ari Mustapha, Aini Mat Said and Rashid Sharif
The fireworks industry is a dangerous business. Many disasters occur due to manufacturing and use of fireworks. It has been recorded that there have been 15 disasters resulting…
Abstract
The fireworks industry is a dangerous business. Many disasters occur due to manufacturing and use of fireworks. It has been recorded that there have been 15 disasters resulting from fireworks worldwide. Malaysia has experienced such tragedies through a fire and explosion of Bright Sparklers fireworks factory. This paper summarizes the sequence of events which led to the Bright Sparkler disaster and proposes some lessons which could be learned from the experience.
Ibrahim M. Shaluf, Fakharul‐razi Ahmadun and Sa’ari Mustapha
Disasters are classified as natural and man‐made disasters. Man‐made disaster, which occurs at the major hazard installation, is a technological disaster. For an incident to be…
Abstract
Disasters are classified as natural and man‐made disasters. Man‐made disaster, which occurs at the major hazard installation, is a technological disaster. For an incident to be classified as technological disaster criteria are required to be met. Several criteria have been proposed by researchers and agencies defining the disasters in terms of casualties, economic loss and environmental impact. Few models have been drawn describing the sequence of development of the technological disaster. This paper reviews in detail the proposed criteria, which define the disaster. The paper also summarizes the models which describe the disaster stages. Finally the paper summarizes a proposed model of the technological disaster precondition phase for major accidents.
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Ibrahim M. Shaluf, Fakharu’l‐razi Ahmadun and Aini Mat Said
A disaster and a crisis are two different, and related events. The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Man‐made disaster that occurs at an industrial organization, may…
Abstract
A disaster and a crisis are two different, and related events. The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Man‐made disaster that occurs at an industrial organization, may develop into an industrial crisis. Crisis can happen to any organization. It has been noted that there were no universally accepted definitions yet developed for disaster and crisis. There is also no universally available criteria, to define the disaster in terms of the consequences, such as the casualties and the cost of damage. This paper reviews the definitions, types, characteristics, criteria and models of disaster and crisis. Also the types of crisis were rearranged and the differences between the disasters and crises have been summarized.
Ibrahim M. Shaluf, Fakharul‐razi Ahmadun, Aini Mat Said, Sa’ari Mustapha and Rashid Sharif
Major hazard organizations are dealing with hazardous material exceeding the threshold quantity. Major hazard organizations are relatively secure areas and cannot fail from single…
Abstract
Major hazard organizations are dealing with hazardous material exceeding the threshold quantity. Major hazard organizations are relatively secure areas and cannot fail from single error. However, failure of an organization to control hazardous material usually results in a technological man‐made disaster. The conditions preceding the onset of technological man‐made disaster are collectively called the technological man‐made disaster precondition phase “incubation period”. A model has been developed representing the technological man‐made disaster pre‐condition phase where it focuses on the origin of the technological man‐made disaster. The model was based on detailed analysis of four technological man‐made disasters at major hazard installations in Malaysia.
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Fakhru ’L Razi Ahmadun, Ibrahim M. Shalu and Mat Said Aini
Major hazard installations (MHIs) are dealing with hazardous substances which exceed the threshold quantity. MHIs are characterized by tight coupling and high complexity. Due to…
Abstract
Major hazard installations (MHIs) are dealing with hazardous substances which exceed the threshold quantity. MHIs are characterized by tight coupling and high complexity. Due to their complexity, MHIs require well trained managers who have good experience at all levels to manage the operations successfully. The managements of major hazard installations play a vital role in the success or failure of their installation. The world has witnessed many incidents in major hazard installations due to failure of the management at all levels. This paper summarizes in brief the management errors for several incidents which occurred worldwide. Also, the paper reviews the management errors which led to an incident at a petrochemical plant in East Malaysia.
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Ibrahim M. Shaluf and Salim Abdulla
The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of storage tank incidents and the causes of the incidents. The paper also seeks to present a brief overview on Abu Dhabi…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of storage tank incidents and the causes of the incidents. The paper also seeks to present a brief overview on Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) experience of Jebel Dhanna (JD) export terminal.
Design/methodology/approach
Major hazard installations (MHIs) store large quantities of flammable material in storage tanks. Storage tanks represent important capital assets and are often critical operational items. The failure of a tank can have several undesirable effects such as endangering personnel, affecting the environment and interrupting the operator's business. The storage tank incidents and ADCO's experience on operating of an export terminal are collected from several sources such as technical articles, text books, internet web sites, and internal reports. The incidents and the causes of the incidents are reviewed and summarised. The ADCO's experience in operation of a crude oil tank farm are outlined.
Findings
The world has witnessed 480 tank fire incidents in the period 1951‐2003. The major cause of storage tank fire incidents was due to lightning. The leaks and the spills from the tanks were due to corrosion, operation, improper or lack of maintenance, poor design and/or maintenance of piping systems, fire and explosion. Although several studies have been carried out to record the tank incidents and the causes of the incidents the studies were not comprehensive. Many tank fire incidents that occurred have not been recorded in the previous studies. ADCO have been operating the JD crude oil terminal for more than three decades without a major incident. This was achieved through the design, operation and maintaining of the tanks in accordance with international standards, periodical studies by expert consultancy, and regular development of the control and protection systems with up‐to‐date technology.
Originality/value
The findings highlight that an international storage tank incidents database should be established to compile the scattered data in one site. The tank incidents database encourges the MHIS to publish tank incidents. The database can assist MHIs as well as the research institutes to learn lessons from the incidents. MHIs publishing articles is one of the means of sharing and exchanging the experience with similar installations and institutes.
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Ibrahim M. Shaluf and Fakharu'l‐razi Ahmadun
Malaysia plans to be a fully developed and industrialized country by year 2020. Malaysia has achieved good progress in the industrial sector. The industrial sector is operating…
Abstract
Malaysia plans to be a fully developed and industrialized country by year 2020. Malaysia has achieved good progress in the industrial sector. The industrial sector is operating plants and factories using and storing hazardous substances in quantities exceeding the threshold quantities. The plants that are dealing with hazardous substances exceeding the threshold quantity are classified as major hazard installations (MHIs). Some MHIs are located in heavily populated areas. Experience shows that MHIs pose a risk to the workers and the neighbors of the plants. Malaysia has taken the preventive measures to protect the workers and the public. The preventive measures have been taken through establishment of authorities to set major hazard control regulations, enforcing the regulations, assessing the safety reports and emergency plans, conducting audits and accident investigations. This paper reviews, in brief, the international regulations and guidelines of major hazard control. The paper also reviews the Malaysian experience of major hazard control.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide graduate students, researchers, governmental and independent agencies with an overview of technological disasters.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide graduate students, researchers, governmental and independent agencies with an overview of technological disasters.
Design/methodology/approach
Technological disasters are subjects of concern to researchers, academicians, governmental and independent agencies. Disasters are classified into natural and man‐made disasters. For an incident to be classified as a disaster, the disaster criteria should be met. Several disaster criteria have been proposed defining the disasters in terms of casualties, economic loss and environmental impact. The disasters which involve major hazard installations (MHIs) are known as technological disasters. The technological disaster definition, stages, types, criteria, factors, models have been reviewed. This paper presents an overview of technological disaster definition, criteria, stages, models, factors, and prevention.
Findings
Although the technological disasters may occur at non‐MHIs, it has been noted that most of the technological disasters involved MHIs and that their impact is not limited to the plants but can extend to neighboring surroundings. The technological disaster consists of three stages: before, during, and after disaster. There are many factors contributing to the technological disasters, some of which are observed clearly while others are partially hidden. The main technological disaster factors were identified as human, organizational and technological errors. Few models have been drawn describing the sequence of development of the technological disaster.
Originality/value
This paper presents an overview on the technological disaster definition, criteria, types, stages, models, factors, and prevention and combines the scattered information on technological disaster into one record.
Details
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This paper aims to provide graduate students, researchers, governmental and independent agencies with an overview on the stages and management of technological disasters.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide graduate students, researchers, governmental and independent agencies with an overview on the stages and management of technological disasters.
Design/methodology/approach
The technological disasters are a subject of concern to the researchers, the academicians, the governmental and independent agencies. The disasters, which involve major hazard installations (MHIs), are known as technological disasters. The information has been collected from several sources such as the technical, and general articles, internet web sites, and internal reports. The technological disaster definition and stages have been reviewed. This paper presents an overview on the technological disaster management cycle.
Findings
Technological disasters consist of three stages. The stages are classified into pre‐, during and post‐disaster stages. Disaster management is a collective term encompassing all aspects of planning for and responding to disasters, including both pre‐disaster and post‐disaster activities. Disaster management cycle is an open‐ended process. The four phases comprising the cycle begin and end with mitigation. The stages are not mutually exclusive – there is an overlap. The stages of disaster management can be operative concurrently, because those stages are interrelated; they are not independent entities with one stopping and the next following.
Originality/value
This paper presents an overview on the technological disaster definition and stages. It provides the MHIs management and the related authority with a background on the technological disaster management cycle. It motivates the members of the MHIs, particularly managerial staff, and the emergency planners to continually improve the control of MHIs. It provides the background and basis for further research in disaster and disaster management.