Increased risk of incidents (domino effect) Review

In neighbouring operating areas, the authority checks whether domino effects exist.

In accordance with the Major Accidents Ordinance, the competent authority is obliged to determine from the operators of operating areas in which operating areas or groups of operating areas there may be an increased probability of accidents due to their geographical location, their distance to each other and the hazardous substances present in their plants or these accidents may have more serious consequences (domino effect). For the purposes of the assessment, the Authority shall use in particular:

• the information provided by the operator in the notification and safety report,
• the information provided by the operator following a request for additional information from the competent authority; and
• the information obtained by the competent authority through surveillance measures.

The information to be reported by the operator shall also include circumstances in the immediate vicinity of the operating area which may trigger an accident or aggravate its consequences, e.g. details of adjacent operating areas, other sites not covered by the Major Accidents Regulation, and areas and developments from which an accident could originate or where the likelihood of an accident occurring may increase or the effects of an incident and domino effects. If the authority has additional information, it shall make it available to the operator without delay, if this is necessary for the cooperation of the operators.

An objection may be lodged against a declaratory decision.

The procedure for detecting a domino effect shall be initiated by the competent authority. The assessment shall be based on

• the information provided by the operator in the notification and safety report,
• the information provided by the operator following a request for additional information from the competent authority; and
• the information obtained by the competent authority through surveillance measures.

If the conditions for a domino effect are met, the competent authority issues a declaratory decision to the operators concerned.

Fees are incurred for the assessment notice, which are based on the respective fee regulations of the Länder.