Development of an Electronic Manual on Procedures Related to Environmental Emergencies Arising from Natural Events and/or Accidents with Chemicals

Chile and the Bio Bio region are located in an area prone to earthquakes, whose main danger is the collapse of structures, equipment and the real possibility of explosions, spills, fires and gas leaks, among other accidents. As an industrialized region, in which significant amounts of chemicals are handled, such event would directly affect the community in general and the environment. While a natural disaster could create an emergency situation, it is also possible that they could generate chemical accidents during their storage, transport or handling, for which specific guidelines are needed that allow to speed up the work of precaution against events of this nature.

 In order to address these issues and make use of the experience and results of the National Registry of Industries that Handle Hazardous Chemicals in relation to the Bío Bío region, the idea is to disseminate recommendations on the proper handling of chemicals, before, during and after an emergency, through a dissemination activity with small and medium industries of the area. In particular, it aims to: * reduce the risk associated to the use and handling of chemicals and establish the strategic guidelines in the case of a natural disaster, * generate recommendations to deal with chemical emergencies generated by natural events and/or accidents and thus control potential impacts to the environment and health of people.

 The period envisaged for the project execution is two months, starting in August.