(45a) Major Accidents: Managing the First 96 Hours

Effectively responding to a major accident requires a prompt, sure-footed approach; especially with criminal prosecutions for endangerment and environmental releases becoming more frequent. Knowing what to expect and being able to respond to a rapidly evolving situation is key. This presentation will provide practical advice for site and corporate personnel and management on how to prepare for and then effectively manage the initial response to a major process safety incident.

The advice presented will consider investigation / inspection techniques currently used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U. S. Chemical Safety Board, and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and other local/state/federal government agencies. Among the topics to be discussed are incident site documentation and evidence collection, witness interviews, document requests, and internal investigations.