Lessons Learned from Chemical Accidents and Incidents 21 - 23 September 2004, Karlskoga, Sweden

The objective of this paper is to provide some background information and stimulate discussion of the major issues pertinent to the subject of the OECD Workshop: Lessons Learned from Chemical Accidents and Incidents. It will set the scene for discussions on issues affecting the effective use of lessons learned to prevent and mitigate chemical process accidents. The Workshop is organized around the following six themes: Session I : Setting the scene – Description of the themes addressed in the following sessions and presentation of the main issues to discuss. Session I will also address terminology Session II: Data sources on accidents and incidents – Relevance of data sources for measuring the output of the safety work within the field of chemical accidents Session III: Investigation of accidents and incidents – How do we gain optimal output from investigation of accidents/incidents with respect to both lessons learned and the dissemination of such lessons? Session IV: Lessons Learned – How can we make the most effective use of lessons learned from incidents (accidents and/or near-misses)? Session V: Communication and Implementation of lessons learned – How do we ensure that all the data being gathered are transformed to effective learning? Session VI: General discussion – Conclusions and Recommendations The Discussion Document, to be presented in Session I, will first propose and then discuss definitions for some of the key terms and concepts that are likely to be used during the Workshop. It will then attempt to stimulate Workshop discussion on Sessions II through V by providing some background information on each session's theme. The discussion document will also try to put forward ideas and viewpoints aimed at provoking vigorous discussion on the key issues that need to be addressed in each session in order to make further progress towards the Workshop's objective: Reduction of chemical process accidents thru improved use of Lessons Learned. Session I will address: Description of the themes addressed in the following sessions and presentation of the main issues to discuss. Session I will also address definitions and terminology to be used at the Workshop