Environmental risk analysis for accidental emissions

Environmental legislation and voluntary improvement activities at Finnish enterprises have led to a situation where attempts have been made to prevent accidental emissions resulting from abnormal and unexpected events at industrial sites by using environmental risk analysis. However, the consensus among companies and authorities was that there was no clear idea on what an environmental risk analysis should contain. A project with the aim of preparing a guideline for conducting environmental risk analysis according to good practises was commissioned. This article summarises the main contents of the guideline, focusing on the risk terminology and instructions about how to perform an environmental risk analysis in practice. The framework developed is strongly based on the risk analysis techniques and traditions of industrial safety. Environmental risk analysis consists of scope definition, risk identification, risk assessment and proposals for risk reduction and mitigation actions. A consequence matrix in association with a risk matrix is an important element of risk analysis, and supports the decision making from the viewpoint of risk tolerability and acceptance.