Major risk accident scenarios and the related H&S management in living and working environments. Old problems and new challenges

When major accident scenarios are considered, the effects of major events which give rise to a serious, immediate or deferred danger to human health or the environment, inside or outside the production or storage area due to the presence in high quantities of one or more dangerous substances are being considered. Events of this type, except in exceptional cases, have always had important consequences also from the point of view of the health and safety of plant operators and the environment. The article then discussed some long-standing weaknesses that characterize the application of the legislation to activities at risk of a major accident, which may lead to the underestimation of some risk factors (natural hazards) or the increase in potential consequences of accidents (lack to control of the territory). New challenges and opportunities have also been identified, which must be addressed, such as the aging of working population and facilities and the adaptation to climate change and its effects on the territory, as well as opportunities arising from ongoing technological development, which can support operators and managers to carry out their activities minimizing the impacts on the health and safety of operators and the surroundings.