Overview

Another comprehensive hazard assessment is the Rijnmond study carried out for the Rijnmond Public Authority by Cremer and Warner.

This work is described in Risk Analysis of Six Potentially Hazardous Industrial Objects in the Rijnmond Area, a Pilot Study issued by the Rijnmond Public Authority (1982) (the Rijnmond Report).

The Rijnmond is the part of the Rhine delta between Rotterdam and the North Sea. Within the Rijnmond area of 15 40 km ² are located some one million people and a vast complex of oil, petrochemical and chemical industries as well as the largest harbour in the world. A description of the industrial complex at Rijnmond has been given by Molle and Wever (1984). A map of the Rijnmond showing the principal plant areas is given in Figure A8.1 and a diagram of the petrochemical complex in Figure A8.2. There are five oil refineries with a refining capacity of some 81 Mt/year, including the large refineries of Shell at Pernis and BP near Rozenburg, and major petrochemicals complexes operated by Shell, Gulf and Esso. Some of the other plants are described below.

Figure A8.1: Rijnmond harbour area (Molle and Wever, 1984)

Figure A8.2: Petrochemical complex in the Rijnmond harbour area (Molle and Wever, 1984)

A first note on the industrial hazards issued in 1976 by the Rijnmond Authority was strongly criticized by industry. Accordingly a commission, COVO, was set up with representatives of the Labour Inspectorate of the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Rijnmond Authority and...