Raising awareness of Natech risks
Natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods or storms, can initiate events which may challenge the safety and operation of hazardous installations and trigger an accident. These accidents are referred to as Natech events.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published an awareness-raising brochure on Natech risks and the challenges in analysing and managing them. The booklet also lists the work and resources of some international organisations which support the understanding of what Natech risks are.
The brochure is intended for a broad and multidisciplinary audience, including industry, public authorities and practitioners involved in industrial safety and civil protection. It is also designed for the DRM community as Natech accidents are often treated within the broader context of disaster management.
The document is part of a broader OECD Programme on Chemical Accidents aiming to share previous experiences while recommending appropriate policy options to enhance the prevention of, preparedness for, and response to chemical accidents.
A steering group composed of the delegations of the Czech Republic, France, Germany (lead), Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC), UNEP/OCHA Joint Environment Unit, UNECE, and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) was involved in the development of the brochure.
