Select one of the above risks to read a short summary
The government is obliged to provide information about possible risks. You will therefore be able to read precisely what the risks are, what dangers they represent and how to protect yourself in an emergency.
Precautionary measures ensure that the risk of a large disaster actually occurring is exceedingly small. The extent of a certain risk cannot be indicated in advance. For instance, if a toxic gas is released, the danger zone will depend on the weather. After all, wind blows the toxic substances in a certain direction. That is why the experts are cautious when estimating the danger zone.
Accidents involving hazardous substances are large-scale accidents on industrial sites. There are many companies using hazardous substances that pose such a risk. The risk may affect a large or small area within the surroundings. Companies posing a risk to a very small area are not indicated on the risk map.
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Many types of hazardous substances are transported. Transport takes place by road, rail and water. As the number of substances is too large to determine individual risks, these substances have been combined in ‘substance categories’, and each category poses a different type of risk to the surroundings. Petrol and oil, for instance, are included in the ‘flammable liquids’ category.
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A risk is posed by an aircraft or helicopter crashing. This could occur in a built-up area or in an ‘outer area’. But this is most likely to occur on or near to a runway or landing strip within an area approximately 300 metres wide and extending one kilometre to the front or to the rear. An aviation accident often results in many deaths.
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Vessels may have to deal with fires, explosions and collisions; they may run aground, sink or capsize. These events may occur at sea or on inland waterways. Causes may include weather conditions (mist, storms) and incompetence by the crew. Walking on mud flats has its own risks.
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The risk in the case of rail transport is a collision or derailment. In the case of passenger trains, the risk of casualties is considerable, panic may occur and there will be damage to property. In the case of car traffic, multiple-vehicle collisions may occur. There will be a risk of chaos, panic and fire, and hazardous substances may be released.
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Accidents in tunnels are more dangerous than in the open air. An explosion or fire may cause considerable damage and hazardous substances cannot be removed quickly. Smoke causes poor visibility, lack of oxygen rapidly occurs and there may be panic. It is difficult to escape from a tunnel.
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The water may come from several sources: the sea or the large rivers and from inland waterways such as canals and lakes. A dyke may subside, a dune may be swept away, or the water may come over the dykes. An additional danger is that the power supply may fail, so that no communication by telephone, Internet and television is possible. Public health may also be at risk, which may be a reason for the government to advise evacuation.
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A natural fire may develop quickly and unpredictably during a drought. Such fires are difficult to contain because water has to be brought from elsewhere and wind may fan the flames.
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Areas where there are possible earthquake risks are indicated on the risk map by a line (fault lines) or surface (cavern or Mercalli zone).
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Panic in a crowd results in various risks. People may get caught up in a rush, be trampled under foot and suffocate. The cause is often something unexpected: a fire, a fight, a sudden change in the weather.
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Vulnerable objects are buildings that may have large numbers of occupants/visitors, and buildings occupied by people who are incapable of helping themselves (patients, the elderly, children).
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