Analysis of accident risk factors at chemically hazardous facilities (literature review)

Accidents at chemically hazardous facilities pose a significant threat to public health and the environment. With the growing scale of chemical production and the widespread use of hazardous chemicals, there is a growing need for a systematic risk assessment at all stages of the chemical product life cycle.

The objective of this study was to identify and analyze the risk factors contributing to accidents at chemically hazardous facilities.

To prepare this review, a literature search was conducted for scientific and regulatory publications on the assessment of chemical risks at facilities handling hazardous substances. The search was carried out using scientific databases such as Google Scholar, eLibrary, and CyberLeninka. Special attention was given to reports from the last ten years (2015-2025), although earlier sources were also included if they contained significant information relevant to the topic.

The main causes of accidents at different stages of chemical production were identified, and incident types were classified according to the physical state of the hazardous chemicals and the conditions of their release. The roles of technical malfunctions, human error, and natural factors were highlighted. Accidents at chemically hazardous facilities (CHFs) were shown to result often from a combination of several interrelated factors that can amplify one another.

Preventing such accidents requires strict compliance with industrial safety regulations, continuous monitoring of working conditions, and regular inspection of equipment. Ensuring chemical safety demands a comprehensive approach, including technological modernization, personnel training, regulatory improvements, and interagency cooperation. Combining these elements will reduce the likelihood of accidents and improve preparedness for effective response when they occur.

Contribution:
Lebed-Sharlevich Ya.I. – collection and processing of material, writing a text;
Mamonov R.A. – editing;
Savostikova O.N. – editing.
All authors are responsible for the concept and design of the study, integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study was conducted within the framework of the State Assignment.

Received: August 1, 2025 / Accepted: November 3, 2025 / Published: December 19, 2025

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