Industrial risk activities
The prediction and prevention activities are based on an increasingly close link between civil protection and scientific research thanks to: new technological systems for collecting and processing information; data processing centres able to report as soon as possible the likelihood of catastrophic events; the development of risk maps; the promotion of regulatory and technical tools aimed at preventing and mitigating damage.
The reference norm establishes prediction and prevention activities aimed at reducing industrial risk: both for the risk related to the probability of an industrial accident occurring, as well as the one related to its consequences.
In the first place dangerous substances are identified, including those classified as a hazard to the environment, possibly causing serious accidents and exposure to the risk of emissions, fires or explosions.
The industrial plants requiring control by a person responsible, described in the norm as a “safety officer”, are likewise established.
The safety officer in an industrial plant is assigned to many risk prediction and prevention-related duties. All duties performed by the officer are notified to the Region, Prefect and local Town Council.
Competent centres
Competent centres contribute towards the work of preventing industrial risks: public bodies engaged in the national civil protection system to develop research projects and set up means of support for handling emergencies.
The principal centres competent for industrial risk are the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research – ISPRA, Institute for prevention and safety at work place - ISPESL, National Council for Scientific Research – CNR and Istituto Superiore di Sanità (government Health Institute) – ISS.
Techno-scientific advisory organizations
• Department of Nuclear Engineering and Energy Conversion, «La Sapienza» University, Rome;
• Inter-university Consortia for Prevention and Protection from Chemical-Industrial Risks comprising the Rome, Bologna, Pisa, Naples and Messina Universities;
• Operations and Research Unit for Chemical-Industrial Emergencies, «Venice Ca’ Foscari» University;
• Institute for Combustion Research, Naples;
• Mobility Design Research and Educational Unit – Design and planning of Mobility Management Systems and Services – Research Group for the Management and Safety of Milan Transport.
National Service components
The National Fire Brigade Corps conducts controls on factories considered at a serious accident risk. The latter prepares and promotes educational programmes, within the sphere of own competence and when available, on matters related to serious accident risks and provides technical advice to the Authority responsible for the prevention and control of industrial risks. Finally, in the event of an industrial accident, the latter participates to the work of handling the emergency.
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