Preparedness for Disasters (Measures against Chemical Substances)

Last update date April 1, 2024

Prepare for disasters by businesses handling chemical substances

In recent years, accidents such as the leakage of chemical substances have occurred nationwide due to the occurrence of earthquakes and floods. In the event of a large-scale disaster such as an earthquake or heavy rain, harmful chemical substances that may adversely affect human health and the living environment may be scattered, leaked or leaked into the environment. In order to prevent such secondary disaster, it is important to take preventive measures from normal times.
The “Guidelines for Proper Management of Chemical Substances (PDF: 142KB)” established based on the Ordinance on the conservation, etc. of Yokohama City Living Environment stipulates actions for accidents involving chemical substance leakage. Businesses handling chemical substances are requested to prepare for disasters by referring to the following procedures, as well as proper management on a daily basis.

Step 1 Collecting and organizing information

Collection of information such as damage assumptions from public materials

We collect information on large-scale disasters such as the depth of flooding caused by earthquakes in seismic intensity, tsunami, or floods, which are expected from materials published by the national government, Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama City, etc. In addition, we collect case studies of disasters and accidents involving chemical substance leakage.

Identify facilities with high risk of leakage, etc.

Identify the following facilities that are at high risk of leakage of chemical substances at business sites.

Equipment that is easily damaged, such as pipes and flanges
Open facilities such as plating tanks and cleaning tanks that are likely to leak chemical substances.
Storage facilities such as tanks and storage shelves for storing chemical substances

Check the status of each facility

We will check the status of maintenance and inspection of each equipment, the status of maintenance of equipment to prevent scattering and spills, and equipment.

Confirm facilities that should be considered in the surrounding area

Check the location and contact information of water sources such as drinking water close to the business establishment, houses, schools, hospitals, and other areas or facilities that should be particularly considered in the environment.

Reference link (Information on Damage Estimation, etc.)

Disaster prevention map (Flood Hazard Map, high tides Hazard Map, Flood Hazard Map, etc.) (Yokohama City)
Yokohama City Map Information Portal Site (Yokohama City)
Kanagawa Flood Inundation Estimated Area Map (Kanagawa Prefecture) (outside site)
Kanagawa Landslide Disaster Portal (Kanagawa Prefecture) (outside site)
Overlaying hazard maps (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) (outside site)
Nankai Trough Earthquake Countermeasures (Cabinet Office) (outside site)
Tokyo Metropolitan Earthquake Countermeasures (Cabinet Office) (outside site)

Reference link (information on disaster and accident cases)

Workplace Safety Site work related accidents Case (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) (external site)
Safety measures for poisonous and deleterious substances (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) (outside site)
Statistical information on dangerous goods facilities (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) (outside site)
Relational Chemical Disaster Database (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology) (external site)
Accident case database (High Pressure Gas Safety Association) (outside site)
Accident case list (oil and energy technology center) (outside site)

Step 2 Understanding Environmental Risks

Understand the content and extent of environmental risks in the event of leakage of chemical substances

Environmental risk refers to "the risk of unfavorable impact on human health and ecosystems through environmental pollution." Understand the content and extent of environmental risks in the event of leakage of chemical substances.

Step 3 Consideration and implementation of measures

Building a System

Based on the information obtained in steps 1-2, we will examine and create response measures such as a response system and communication system according to the scale of the accident.

Preparation of work standards, conduct maintenance inspections, and thoroughly disseminate information to employees, etc.

Create work standards to prevent disasters and accidents involving environmental pollution caused by chemical substances. In addition, maintenance and inspection of facilities will be carried out.
Management system diagram, safety information on chemical substances, disaster and accident response measures, emergency contact information, points for operation and inspection of equipment and piping, etc. are displayed at appropriate locations within the business site, and are thoroughly communicated to employees, etc. To do.

Preparation of equipment and equipment

In the event of a chemical leak accident, we will maintain equipment and equipment to prevent scattering and spills to minimize environmental pollution.

Conduct regular on-site training

In order to respond promptly in the event of an accident, we will conduct on-site training regularly.

Installation of monitoring equipment

Efforts shall be made to install equipment to monitor the discharge and leakage of chemical substances.

Measures to avoid environmental pollution

For business sites that use highly dangerous and harmful chemical substances, take measures to avoid environmental pollution caused by chemical substances, assuming disasters and accidents in all situations, including those outside the business sites such as manufacturing, transportation, storage, use, shipping, disposal.

Reference links (work standards for prevention of accidents, etc.)

Disaster countermeasures for businesses handling chemical substances (Tokyo) (outside site)
Examples of measures that can be taken from today at business sites that handle chemical substances-Preparing for large-scale disasters that may occur tomorrow-(Osaka Prefecture) (outside site)
Guides and examples of preparing manuals for responding to chemical substances disasters and accidents (Wakayama Prefecture) (outside site)

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