• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.137-143
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• 2016

The use of chemicals is increasing due to industrial advancement and diversification. In addition, the number of chemical accidents are increasing at the same time. A multifaceted effort in chemical accidents is needed for efficient prevention and countermeasures. This paper presents, under the current Act, a chemical accident case, including the material safety data sheet (MSDS) through the chemical accident prevention and measures for improvement with regard to research.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.21-27
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• 2017

Even if several chemical accident prevention systems such as PSM(Process Safety Management), RMP(Risk Management Plan), etc. have been carried out, many chemical accidents have still occurred at industrial plants in Korea. We describe the status of chemical industry and the trend of occurrence of chemical accidents in Korea. And this paper analyzes the recent chemical accidents in eight ways. These ways include chemical accident forms, ignition sources, sources of chemical equipment, human vs equipment/material causes, worker's working situation, employee scale, hazardous substances, week & time, fatalities of manufacture & contractor's workers. Finally we proposes the four representative prevention measures brought to result of cause analysis by accident statistics.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 2018

Objectives: Despite the positive effects of Off-site risk assessment (ORA) system such as prevention of chemical accidents, some problems have been constantly raised. The purpose of this study is to analyze the problems that have occurred through the implementation of the ORA system for the past three years and to suggest reasonable directions for improvement in the future. Methods: In order to identify the problems with the methodology and procedure of ORA system, we analyzed statutes, administrative rules and documents related to the ORA system. A survey of ORA reviewers in National Institute of Chemical Safety was conducted to investigate the weight of determinants considered when judging the level of total risk in ORA. Results: In this study, we found out the uncertainty of the estimation of the number of people in the impact range in the procedure of the risk assessment of individual handling facilities, the lack of quantitative risk analysis methods for environmental receptors, and the ambiguity of the criteria for the total risk. In addition to suggesting solutions to the problems mentioned above, we also, suggested a decision tree for total risk in ORA. Conclusion: We anticipate that the solutions including the systematic decision tree for total risk suggested will contribute to the smooth operation of the ORA system.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.239-251
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• 2020

The Off-site Risk Assessment (ORA) for preventing chemical accidents estimates the chemical accident risk at chemical plants. The method of estimating the risk is made by multiplying the number of residents within the effect area of the chemical accident and the frequency of accidents at a chemical plant. At present, the ORA does not quantitatively consider environmental receptors when the damage types within the scope of the accident are environmental receptors. In order to solve this problem, this study proposes a method of estimating the risk considering resident and environmental receptors. Through these studies, it was confirmed that the ORA impact for the prevention of chemical accidents requires risk analysis considering environmental receptors in the medium and long term.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2001

This study concerns with the accident characteristics and prevention in small manufacturing industries of chemical products. To investigate the accident characteristics, we used workers' compensation reports and employers' accident analysis reports. One hundred and seven injury accidents which results in more than 4 days absence were surveyed from the manufacturing companies with under 100 employees. These data were used to investigate the accident characteristics in terms of company size, injured person's age, work experience, accident time, activity at time of accident, accident type, injury type, injured body Part, and accident agency We propose the accident prevention policy based on the accident characteristics. These results can be used to develop more effective occupational safety management policies in small manufacturing industries of chemical products.

• Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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• 2013.11a
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• pp.231-241
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• 2013

In recent years, accident induced by human error is increasing in the chemical plant. Human error analysis of the chemical plant was conducted on the basis of past accident. Some company called by A for the basis of a chemical accident. Factor analysis of human errors was separated in plant operation and work. Agency's work of occupational safety & health was classified into four types. It is based on the work before, during work, recovery work, and discontinue work. It was still separated work of human error by analysis and then was derived factor and issue. The human error factor and priority for accident prevention in the chemical plant is presented.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2008

Chemical Accident Response Information System (CARIS) which has been designed for the efficient emergency response of chemical accidents produces the real-time atmospheric fields through the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System, RAMS. The previous studies were emphasized that improving an initial input data had more effective results in developing prediction ability of atmospheric model. In a continuous effort to improve an initial input data, we replaced the land-use dataset using in the RAMS, which is a high resolution USGS digital data constructed in April, 1993, with the latest land-use data of the Korea Ministry of Environment over the South Korea and simulated atmospheric fields for developing a real-time prediction in dispersion of chemicals. The results showed that the new land-use data was written in a standard RAMS format and shown the modified surface characteristics and the landscape heterogeneity resulting from land-use change. In the results of sensitivity experiment we got the improved atmospheric fields and assured that it will give more reliable real-time atmospheric fields to all users of CARIS for the dispersion forecast in associated with hazardous chemical releases as well as general air pollutants.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.20-29
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• 2016

Although a number of chemical accidents have been occurred in South Korea, the effective prevention act for soil contamination has not been established so far. To effectively protect soil contamination from chemical accidents, decision support laws and regulations are absolutely essential. Regarding this situation, this study was aimed at diagnosing problems in current chemical safety management and prevention and response system against chemical accidents through analyzing the domestic and foreign causes of chemical accidents and the accident response procedures and finally suggesting policy measures for solving those problems. In order to clarify management of soil contamination by chemical accident, this study suggests the establishment of chemical accident preparedness, response, and making of local chemical management law and policy. This law needs to be supported by a clear management framework to guide government officials and all other stakeholders in the management of soil contamination by chemical accident.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.465-473
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• 2019

Objectives: A variety of industries handling hazardous chemicals emit odorous substances. Based on the emission characteristics of major odor substances from the results of hazardous chemical substance emissions, we will define basic data for improving the management methods of odorous substances. Methods: A survey of hazardous pollutant emissions for 2010-2016 was conducted through the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register homepage. Eight kinds of designated odor substances (ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, acetaldehyde, styrene, toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone) provided the study subjects. The status of chemical accidents for the target substances was analyzed using the Chemistry Safety Clearing-house system. Results: From 2010 to 2016, it was found that more than 30% of businesses that emitted odorous substances accounted for more than 50% of the total emissions of the eight substances. Emissions of xylene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, and ammonia were found, in that order, and they made up more than 90% of the total emitted. By region, about 70% of odorous substances were emitted in the top-four regions: Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Ulsan, Gyeonggi-do Province, and Jeollanam-do Province. Conclusion: Recently, the amount of chemical emissions has been continuously increasing, including those that can cause odor. Odorous substances can be a serious risk to the lives of local residents. Systematic research is needed for the health protection of residents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.43-50
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• 2023

Silicone tetrachloride (SiCl₄) leak accidents cause enormous human and environmental damage because it is highly toxic. Some handling facilities use water curtains to reduce the impact range of SiCl₄. Although the water curtain is known as one of the most efficient technologies for post-release mitigation, its effect on reducing SiCl₄ concentration needs to be investigated scientifically and quantitatively. In this study, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to investigate the physical and chemical effects of water curtains as a release-mitigation system for SiCl₄. SiCl₄ is released and dispersed five seconds prior to the operation of the water curtain. Once the water curtain works, the SiCl₄ reacts chemically with the water and its concentration decreases rapidly; it reaches an emergency response planning guidelines level 2 (ERPG-2) of 5 parts per million (ppm) at about 570 m. We observed, however, that the physical effect of water curtains on reducing SiCl₄ concentration is insignificant when the chemical effect is eliminated. These results are crucial since they can be a scientific and quantitative basis for the 'technical guidelines for estimating the accident affected range'. In order to protect the public from chemical accidents, more toxic gas mitigation technologies need to be developed.