Background
13.1
This section of the EIA presents a summary
of the analysis and findings of the Hazard to Life Assessment (also referred as
Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA)) undertaken for the proposed Hong Kong (HK) Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong
Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) project. This is a
cross-boundary transport infrastructure project providing high speed rail
services between HK and
13.2
The Project consists of an
underground terminus in
13.3 Referring to Chapter 2 of the EIA, the selection of construction methods has been optimised to minimise, as far as possible, the use of explosives depending on the type of material to be excavated. The breakdown per excavation method is approximately:
·
Tunnel
Boring Machine (TBM) (specially designed for soft soil excavation): approx. 8.5
km;
·
Cut
and Cover: approx. 2.0 km; and
·
Drill
and Blast: approx. 15 km.
13.4 As shown above, a substantial length of the tunnels and adits (approximately 15 km) will be excavated in rock. A significant amount of explosives will be required for the construction of rock caverns, tunnels and adits.
13.5 To enable a timely delivery of explosives to site and in order to meet the proposed construction work programme, two Explosives Storage Magazines (Magazines) are required. These will be located at Tai Lam and So Kwun Wat. The sites were selected considering the distance to the work areas as well as other constraints such as land availability, minimum separation distances from magazine to populated area, etc (ref.1).
13.6 With reference to the EIA Study Brief (ESB-197/2008), there is no work area within the consultation zone of the PHIs under which the alignment is passing through. Based on this, the PHI assessment is not considered applicable for this hazard to life assessment.
13.7 The QRA for the storage and transport of explosives relates to the construction phase of the project, in which blasting activities are expected. There will be no explosives handled during the operational phase.
13.8 The Hazard to Life assessment under this section of the EIA, addresses, in particular, the following:
·
Storage
of explosives at the proposed magazines (cartridged emulsion, detonating cord
and detonators) including handling of explosives within the magazine sites; and
·
Transport
of Explosives to the delivery points.
13.9 Further details of the QRA for the Project are presented in the Appendix 13.
Legislation requirement and evaluation criteria
13.10
The
key legislation and guidelines that are
considered relevant to the development of the proposed Express Rail Link
project are as follows:
·
Dangerous
Goods Ordinance, Chapter 295;
·
Environmental
Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), Chapter 499; and
·
The
EIA Study Brief (ESB-197/2008), Section 3.4.2.
EIAO Technical Memorandum (EIAO-TM)
13.11
The
requirement for a QRA of projects that involve the storage and transport of
dangerous goods where a risk to life is a key issue with respect to the Hong Kong Government
Risk Guidelines (HKRG) is specified in Section 12 of the Environmental Impact
Assessment Ordinance Technical Memorandum (EIAO-TM).
13.12
The relevant authority for a QRA study relating to an explosives
magazine storage facility and the transport of the explosives
is the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), as specified in Annex 22 of
the EIAO-TM.
13.13
Annex 4 of the EIAO-TM specifies the Individual and Societal Risk
Guidelines.
13.14
Individual risk is the predicted increase in the chance of fatality per
year to an individual due to a potential hazard. The individual risk guidelines
require that the maximum level of individual risk should not exceed 1 in
100,000 per year i.e. 1 x10-5 per year.
13.15
Societal risk expresses the risks to the whole population. The HKRG is
presented graphically in Figure 1. It is expressed in terms of lines plotting the
frequency (F) of N or more deaths in the population from incidents at the
installation. Two F-N risk lines are used in the HKRG that demark “acceptable”
or “unacceptable” societal risks. The intermediate region indicates the
acceptability of societal risk is borderline and should be reduced to a level which is “as low
as is reasonably practicable” (ALARP). It seeks to ensure that all practicable
and cost effective measures that can reduce risk will be considered.
Figure
1
Study Objectives and Methodology
13.16
The
objective of the QRA study is to assess the risk to life of the general public
from the hazards that arise
from the storage and transport of the explosives that are required to
facilitate the construction of the Project. The results of the QRA should then be compared with the HKRG.
13.17
The detailed
requirements of the study are given in Section 3.4.2 of the EIA study brief.
The main requirements are:
·
To
identify hazardous scenarios associated with the storage and transport of
explosives and then determine a set of relevant scenarios to be included in the
QRA;
·
To
carry out a QRA to determine risks to the surrounding population in both
individual and societal terms;
·
To
compare the individual and societal risks with the Criteria for Evaluating
Hazard to Life stipulated in Annex 4 of the EIAO-TM; and
·
To
identify and assess practicable and cost effective risk mitigation measures.
13.18
The methodology
of the hazard assessment should be consistent with previous studies having
similar issues.
13.19
The elements of the QRA are shown schematically in Figure 2. It includes the following:
·
Collection and review of
relevant data for the proposed Magazines, the transport from the magazines, as
well as population and vulnerable receptors, such as slopes, retaining walls
etc., in the vicinity of storage, the tunnel
construction and proposed transport routes;
·
Hazard identification. A review
of literature and accident databases was undertaken and updated. These formed
the basis for identifying all the hazardous scenarios for the QRA study;
·
Frequency estimation. The
frequencies, or the likelihood, of the various outcomes that result from the
hazards associated with the storage and transport of explosives was taken primarily from the ERM 2008 study (ref.2), which has been accepted by the relevant
authorities. Where necessary, to consider specific factors applicable for the
Project, recent accident statistics, and to reflect the current knowledge on the explosives’ properties,
these frequencies were modified or updated making reference, as far as possible
to published references; such as the previous Hong Kong studies , UK HSE, US
DoD, Dutch TNO, latest accident statistics from the Transport Department and
Fire Service Department, etc.;
·
For all identified hazards, the
frequency assessment has been documented and the consequences were modelled;
·
The consequence model employed
in this study is the ESTC model (ref.3), developed by the
UK Health and Safety Commission (HSC). Although,
there have been a number of recent studies suggesting that the ESTC (2000)
models should be reviewed for applicability to explosive stores and transport, these
models are still the recommended models in the UK and adopted in the ERM 2008
study (ref.2).
·
The frequency model was
updated, in accordance with the methodology adopted in the ERM 2008 study and
the DNV 1997 study (ref.4) which was based on the ACDS (ref.5) and Moreton 1993 studies (ref.6), to reflect the current Transport Department
statistics, Fire Services Department
statistics, specific design features applicable for the Project and current
knowledge of explosives.
·
The consequence and frequency
data were subsequently combined using ERM’s in-house proprietary software
Riskplot TM to produce the required risk estimates. The transport
part of the risk assessment has been updated compared to the ERM 2008 study
(ref.2). An in-house Explosive Transport GIS Risk Assessment
tool (E-TRA) has been developed to account for three-dimensional blast effects
on buildings and the effect of accidental explosions on elevated roads. It also
accounts for traffic jam scenarios which could occur in some accidental
scenarios as reported in ref.4. The model is summarised in Section 3.2 of Appendix
13 and has been validated against Riskplot TM.
·
Finally, the results from the
risk assessment were compared to the EIAO-TM Criteria. Recommendations have
been made where required to ensure compliance with EIAO-TM Criteria, relevant
best practice, and to reduce the overall risk levels.
Figure 2 Schematic Diagram of QRA Process
13.20
The methodology
used in this hazard assessment is consistent with previous studies. However,
the methodology has been updated and refined, particularly the frequency of
explosives truck accident, following the comments from Mines Division to review
and update the accident data based on recent history. Details of the analysis
can be found in Appendix 13.
Project Overview
13.21
The Project
comprises the following key elements:
·
Approximately
26km of underground railway running from the terminus in
·
A
terminus in
·
Seven
tunnel ventilation buildings at
·
Stabling
sidings and maintenance facilities located at Shek Kong (Shek Kong Stabling
Sidings (SSS)) to provide for stabling, maintenance and cleaning; and
·
An
emergency rescue station (ERS) located next to the SSS.
13.22
The proposed Project alignment
and work areas are shown in Figure 3.
13.23
The Project is scheduled to commence in
late 2009 for
completion in 2015. Excavation in rock by blasting will be ongoing generally from 2011 to mid 2013 for a significant length of the tunnels
and adits (approximately 15 km).
13.24
For the purpose of this study,
the alignment is divided into two areas. The northern area contains those
tunnels and associated structures for which excavation will be carried out from
worksites within the northern
13.25
Two categories of explosives will be used for
the construction of tunnel by Drill and Blast methods.
These are:
·
Initiating explosives:
cartridged emulsion explosives, detonating cord and detonators; and
·
Blasting
explosives: site-sensitized bulk emulsion explosives or site-mixed ammonium
nitrate – fuel oil (ANFO).
13.26 Cartridged emulsion and detonating cord will be delivered from the explosives magazines to the various construction sites by the appointed contractors using Mines Division licensed trucks. These explosives are classified as an explosive Class 1.1D under United Nation (UN) Classification (ref.7) and as a Category 1 (Explosive and blasting agents) Dangerous Goods under the Hong Kong Dangerous Goods Ordinance.
13.27
Detonators
will also be used to
initiate the blast at the working face. As used in this
project, they are classified as Class 1.4B or 1.4S explosives under the UN
classification system and Category 1 (Explosives and Blasting Agents) under the
Hong Kong Dangerous Goods Ordinance, and will be transported from magazines to
work areas by a dedicated truck, which is identical to, but independent of the
truck carrying the emulsion explosives and detonating cord. Detonators approved for use in
13.28 Explosives classified as Class 1.1 is defined as substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard while Class 1.4 explosives present no significant hazard outside the packaging. To comply with the classification, it is required to ensure that the explosive is safe to transport, to pass a series of classification tests in accordance with the UN test manual, 2003 (ref.8). Due to different properties of explosives, a compatibility class is also assigned, as applicable to this Project. Type “B” is defined as “An article containing a primary explosive substance and not containing two or more protective features” and type “S” is defined as “The substance or article so packed or designed that any hazardous effects arising from accidental functioning are limited to the extent that they do not significantly hinder or prohibit fire fighting or other emergency response efforts in the immediate vicinity of the package”.
13.29 Bulk emulsion precursor will be transported to the blast sites by the appointed third party supplier. It is classified as an oxidising agent Class 5.1 under the UN Classification system and as Category 7, ie. strong supporter of combustion under the Hong Kong Dangerous Goods Ordinance. Prior to sensitizing, it is not considered as an explosive, and hence outside the scope of this QRA. Bulk emulsion will not be stored within the magazine.
13.30 Depending on blasting requirements, ANFO may be used in this project. ANFO is classified as UN HD 1.1D under UN Classification. It consists of an oxidizing substance mixed with 6% by weight of diesel fuel oil. ANFO will be produced at the construction work area by using a mixing truck and hence outside the scope of this QRA.
Statutory/ Licensing
Requirements
13.31 The statutory / licensing requirements with respect to the explosives (Cat. 1 Dangerous Goods) or the oxidizing substances (Cat. 7 Dangerous Goods) used to prepare explosives at the construction work area as well as relevant government departments/ authorities’ advice and practice on the proposed transport and storage of explosives for the blasting activities are summarized below.
Category
1 Explosives and Blasting Agents
·
Responsible authority: The Commissioner of Mines Division
·
Applicable
regulations/ guidance notes:
-
Supply
of detonators and cartridged emulsion explosives (under the Dangerous Goods
(General) Regulations Cap. 295B);
-
Approved
explosives for blasting in
-
Blast
design (under the Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations Cap. 295B);
-
Blast
loading and execution (under the Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations Cap.
295B);
-
Removal
of explosives (under Regulation 4 of the Dangerous Goods (General) regulations
Cap. 295B);
-
Approval
of an explosives delivery vehicle (under CEDD’s “Guidance Note on Requirements
for Approval of an Explosive Delivery Vehicle” (ref.9));
-
Explosive
delivery vehicle design features and safety requirements (under CEDD’s
“Guidance Note on Requirements for Approval of an Explosive Delivery Vehicle”
(ref.9);
-
Explosive
magazine (under CEDD’s document “How to Apply for a Mode A Explosives Store
Licence” (ref.10));
-
Explosives
produced at site (under Regulation 31A of the Dangerous Goods (General)
Regulations Cap. 295B); and
-
Explosives
load per truck (in accordance with the Removal Permit
under the
Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations Cap. 295B).
Category
7 Strong Supporters of Combustion
·
Responsible authority: Fire Services Department
·
Applicable
regulations:
-
Storage
of oxidizing agents (under Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations Cap. 295B)
13.32 This Project will use cartridged emulsion explosives as initiating explosives. For blasting explosives, bulk emulsion or ANFO will be used. Therefore, the storage and transport requirements for explosives are the minimum required quantities for the Project.
Storage Magazine
Details
13.33
A magazine site
is proposed to be built at Tai Lam (for northern area) and another one at So
Kwun Wat (for the southern area). The design, construction and operation of the
magazines will comply with the general requirements from the Commissioner of
Mines (ref.10).
13.34
Each magazine is designed to
store sufficient quantities of explosives for two days so as to allow blasting
to be carried out 24 hours per day and provide a buffer in the event of
delivery interruption to the magazines by Mines Division.
13.35
The northern
magazine at Tai Lam (Tai Lam Magazine) serves three worksites (Contract 824 and
Contract 822) in the
13.36
The southern
magazine at So Kwun Wat (So Kwun Wat Magazine) serves four worksites within the
urban
13.37
The work areas
and the associated explosives using contract packaging for the two magazines
are shown in Table
13.1.
13.38
Each of the
magazine buildings is a single-storey, detached and bunded structure, which is
fenced and secured in accordance with the Commissioner of Mines’ requirements.
Details of the requirements are defined in the CEDD document “How to Apply for
a Mode A Explosives Store Licence” (ref.10). Surface road
access suitable for 11-tonne trucks is also provided for delivery of
explosives.
Table 13.1 Project Contracts and Work Areas (Blasting only)
Contract No. |
Storage Magazine |
2 Day Explosive Storage
Requirement per contract |
Delivery Point (Work
Area) |
Southern Area |
|||
821 |
So Kwun Wat |
600 kg (300 kg each x 2) |
2d - Kwai Chung |
2e - |
|||
822 |
So Kwun Wat |
600 kg (300 kg each x 2) |
2b - Shek Yam |
2c - Shing Mun |
|||
Northern Area |
|||
822 |
Tai Lam |
400 kg |
1b - Pat Heung |
824 |
Tai Lam |
400 kg |
1c - Tai Kong Po |
1d - Ngau Tam Mei |
Transport Route Details
13.39
Mines Division will deliver
explosives to the Magazines on a daily basis,
from where explosives will be transferred to the work areas by the contractors
for the daily or twice-daily blasts depending on requirements for construction.
Loads will be limited to a maximum of 200 kg per
truck or less in accordance with the Removal Permit issued by Mines Division.
13.40
The explosives will be delivered to the
various construction work areas using the public roads as shown in Figure 4. The proposed delivery points from the two magazines
are shown in Table 13.1.
13.41
According to
the current construction programme, delivery of explosives to the seven
delivery points will be required from 2011 to 2013. A maximum of 6 will be in operation simultaneously during the 8-month period from March to October 2012 while on average, deliveries to 4 or 5 works sites are expected at any one
time during the 3-year construction phase.
13.42
In addition to
cartridged emulsion and detonating cord, detonators will also be transported.
Detonators will be transported in a separate and dedicated licensed vehicle.
13.43
The licensed explosives delivery vehicles (LGV pick-up trucks) for delivery of explosives from the site magazines
to the worksites, used as the basis for this QRA, will have the following safety features:
·
Manual fuel isolation
switch;
·
Forward mounted exhaust with spark arrestor;
·
All electrical
wiring or electrical devices will be shrouded in fire resisting conduits;
·
Fuel tank will
be protected from accidental damage, and designed to prevent accumulation of
spilt fuel on any part of the vehicle;
·
Two fire extinguishers will be
mounted on an easily accessible position on the vehicle;
·
Fire resistant
material will be fitted between the wheel arches and the goods compartment;
·
Lockable wood lined steel or aluminium
receptacles mounted
on the vehicle tray; and
·
Fold down / up explosives warning signs and rotating flashing light.
13.44
In addition, a fire screen will be fitted between the cab and the load
compartment and between the load compartment and the chassis.
Base Case and Worst
Case for Quantitative Risk Assessment
13.45
The actual construction programme will depend on the detailed design and
appointed contractors. It may also depend on the actual achievable progress
rates which may vary due to specific site conditions (e.g. geology). To
consider the uncertainty in the envisaged construction programme, a Base Case,
which accounts for expected programme variations, and a Worst Case, which
presents the worst programme scenario, have been considered for the assessment.
Base
Case Programme for Hazard to Life Assessment
13.46
Based on the envisaged
construction programme and sequence of works, the annual travel distance by
explosive vehicles, carrying cartridged emulsion and detonating cord, will
reach a peak in the period between September 2011 and August 2012, with an
annual number of deliveries of 2671 and a travel distance is around 42,000 km.
This period is referred as the peak explosive delivery period which is taken to
represent the Base Case scenario for the Hazard to Life Assessment. The delivery frequency
has been estimated on the basis that, for a given delivery point, each delivery
will be made to each blast face independently of the other blast faces even if
the load could be transported on the same truck. This approach, although slightly
conservative, accounts for expected delivery variations during the peak
delivery period, within which, separate deliveries will be generally
undertaken.
13.47
The explosive load has been estimated on the
basis that, for a particular delivery point, when the blast time for various
faces coincides in the construction programme within the peak delivery period,
explosives will be transported on the same truck. This applies, for instance,
when the blast programme of the northern drives and
southern drives for a particular delivery point overlaps.
13.48
In the Base
Case, it was considered that blasting
could be carried
out at predetermined time during the day following the envisaged construction
programme. A distribution of delivery time has thus been considered based on
the construction programme.
13.49
The Base Case programme is summarized in Table 13.2.
Table 13.2 Summary of Explosives
Deliveries and Transport Quantities (for Base Case)
Delivery Point |
Explosive Deliveries in
Peak Delivery Period (trips/y) |
Peak Transport Quantity
(kg/trip) |
|
1b - Pat Heung |
531 |
61 |
|
1c - Tai Kong Po |
341 |
42 |
|
1d - Ngau Tam Mei |
157 |
42 |
|
2b - Shek Yam |
392 |
51 |
|
2c - Shing Mun |
27 |
27 |
|
2d - Kwai Chung |
606 |
78 |
|
2e - |
617 |
31 |
|
Total |
2671 |
|
Worst Case Programme for Hazard
to Life Assessment:
13.50
The Hazard to Life
Assessment also covers the Worst Case scenario. It addresses the possibility
that, due to construction uncertainties or contractors’ methods of working, the
contractors propose an actual construction programme which differs from the
envisaged construction programme. Such a case may result in a higher number of
delivery trips. Return trips loaded with explosives will generally be avoided,
however, due to some construction uncertainties, a number of return trips could
be made. Overall, in the worst case, a 20% increase in the number of deliveries
compared to the base case scenario may result based on previous project
experience.
13.51
In this project, for a particular delivery
point, it is possible that the explosive load required for each delivery will
be higher than that indicated in the envisaged programme due to particular site
conditions and blasting requirements; however, the explosive load to be
transported will be, as a worst case, the maximum explosive load for the site (sum of the loads for each blast face within the same work site).
The delivery load, in the Worst Case Scenario, has been selected as the sum of
the loads for each blast face within the same work site.
13.52
In this Worst
Case Scenario, explosives could be delivered at peak day times.
13.53
The Worst Case programme is summarized in
Table 13.3.
Table 13.3 Summary of Explosives Deliveries and Transport Quantities (Worst Case)
Delivery Point |
Explosive Deliveries in Worst
Case (trips/y) |
Transport Quantity
(kg/trip) |
|
1b - Pat Heung |
637 |
125 |
|
1c - Tai Kong Po |
409 |
42 |
|
1d - Ngau Tam Mei |
188 |
42 |
|
2b - Shek Yam |
470 |
112 |
|
2c - Shing Mun |
32 |
27 |
|
2d - Kwai Chung |
727 |
129 |
|
2e - |
740 |
76 |
|
Total |
3205 |
|
Figure 3 Proposed Alignment and Work Areas
Figure 4 Project Alignment, Proposed Magazine Locations and
Explosives Transport Routes
13.54
Population
within the vicinity of the explosives
magazines is estimated based on site surveys and information
gathered from Geographic
Information System (GIS) database 2007/2008 data (ref.11) and aerial maps. There are no
known (current or future) buildings or any other structures in the hazard zone
of the proposed Magazines.
13.55
Population data
used for the transport risk assessment have been collected by a combination of
site survey, Base District Traffic Model (BDTM) 2011, Annual Traffic Census
2007 (ref.12), Road Traffic Accident Statistics 2007 (ref.13&14), Centamap (2008) and GIS tools. For areas where
information is not available, assumptions have been used consistently with the
previously approved studies. Three types of population have been considered.
·
Pedestrian population on footpaths and pavements next to delivery
routes;
·
Road population; and
·
Building population.
13.56
The
approach to modelling the risks during transport of explosives is fully
3-dimensional and GIS based. It also accounts for the potential increased risk
when explosives truck travel on elevated roads.
13.57
The population
data adopted in the QRA is detailed in Appendix 13.
13.58
Hazard identification consisted of a review
of the following:
·
Explosives properties;
·
Scenarios presented in previous relevant studies;
·
Historical accidents; and
·
Discussions with explosives and blasting specialists.
Hazards of Explosives
13.59
Explosives present a hazard to both property
and people. This hazard manifests itself in the following ways:
·
Blast and pressure wave;
·
Flying fragments or missiles;
·
Thermal radiation; and
·
Ground shock.
13.60
In the case of explosions, the biggest damage is usually caused by the
blast effects. The blast and pressure waves can cause injury
to sensitive human organs such as the ears and lungs. However, considerable
overpressures are required for fatalities to occur, and consequently people
need to be fairly close to the scene of the direct explosion effects to be
significant.
13.61
Other effects due to the blast or overpressure are associated with damage to
buildings and other structures/ objects or the impact of debris and fragments
from damaged building structure, and the vehicle or container in which the
explosives are held. Moreover, injury may occur when people are displaced or swept away, or
due to the violent movement of internal organs within the body.
13.62
An explosion may result in the formation of a
short duration fireball since the fuel content of the emulsion is oxidised. However,
although it is generally the case that the thermal hazards from an explosives
detonation event is of less concern than the blast and fragment hazards.
Review of Incidents
13.63
A review of reported safety incidents involving storage, transport and
disposal of explosives (in industrial applications) was carried out.
Records were
retrieved mainly from the UK Health and Safety Executive (UK HSE)’s Explosives
Incidents Database Advisory Service (EIDAS) (ref.15), US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MHSA)
(ref.16) and
Scenarios for Hazard
Assessment
13.64
The following table (Table 13.4) provides a summary of the scenarios considered in
this QRA.
Table 13.4 Scenarios Considered in the QRA study
Tag |
Scenario |
Storage of Explosives |
|
01 |
Detonation of full load of explosives in one store
in So Kwun Wat site |
02 |
Detonation of full load of explosives in one store
in Tai Lam site |
03 |
Detonation of full load of explosives in one contractor
truck on the access road within the So Kwun Wat magazine site boundary |
04 |
Detonation of full load of explosives in one
contractor truck on the access road within the Tai Lam magazine site boundary |
Transport of Explosives |
|
05 |
Detonation of full load of explosives in one
contractor truck on public roads – from So Kwun Wat site to delivery point 2b
Shek Yam |
06 |
Detonation of full load of explosives in one
contractor truck on public roads – from So Kwun Wat site to delivery point 2c
Shing Mun |
07 |
Detonation of full load of explosives in one
contractor truck on public roads – from So Kwun Wat site to delivery point 2d
Kwai Chung |
08 |
Detonation of full load of explosives in one
contractor truck on public roads – from So Kwun Wat site to delivery |
09 |
Detonation of full load of explosives in one
contractor truck on public roads – from Tai Lam site to delivery point 1b Pat
Heung |
10 |
Detonation of full load of explosives in one
contractor truck on public roads – from Tai Lam site to delivery point 1c Tai
Kong Po |
11 |
Detonation of full load of explosives in one
contractor truck on public roads – from Tam Lam site to delivery point 1d
Ngau Tam Mei |
13.65
Deflagration or detonation explosion
may occur during the transportation of explosives from the magazines to the
construction sites. This accidental explosion can be caused by
spontaneous fire (non-crash fire), fire after a vehicle crash (crash fire),
impact initiation in crash (crash impact) or spontaneous explosion during the
normal condition of transport which may occur if the cargo load contains
‘unsafe explosives’.
13.66
In this study, a fault tree has been developed to assess the overall explosion
frequency as applicable to the Project contractors’ trucks based on the latest
information available on the explosives properties, vehicle incident
frequencies provided by the Transport Department and Fire Services Department,
and the specific explosive transport vehicle design and operation to be used as
part of the Project. The details of the frequency assessment are provided in
Section 6 of Appendix 13.
Frequency analysis for
Transport of Explosives
13.67
Based on
Frequency analysis for
Storage of Explosives
13.68
The overall initiating event frequency within the
storage magazine is based upon the UK HSE recommended value of 1 x 10-4
per storehouse year. Additional risk due to manual transfer of explosives, lightning strike, aircraft
crash, hill/ vegetation fire, earthquake and other site specific considerations
to XRL project were
also considered but their contribution was negligible. (see Section 6 of Appendix
13).
13.69
The probability of fatality due to blast
over-pressure, have been estimated using the method detailed by the UK HSE
Explosives Storage and Transport Committee (ref.3) The fatality contours are calculated at 90%, 50%, 10%, 3% and
1% fatality. Details of the model and
the results are given in Section 7 of Appendix 13.
13.70
Special features such as slopes and service
reservoirs along the transport routes or near the magazine sites were
identified with respect to the potential secondary hazards. These aspects of
risk were evaluated separately, and were found either insignificant or already
covered by applying the blast overpressure-fatality model (ie. ESTC model (ref.3)).
Individual Risk Results
13.71 The individual risk (IR) contours associated with the Project are shown in Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8. In Figure 7 and Figure 8, the ‘indoor’ refers to the population located inside buildings, and the ‘outdoor’ refers to the population located outside buildings ie in open area. At the same distance from a potential explosion, persons located inside buildings are more vulnerable to explosion than persons located outside buildings as they are exposed to more hazards such as debris from broken windows, etc. This explains a higher individual risk for indoor population.
13.72 For the delivery routes, the IR data represent the highest individual risk, occurring on the road in the same lane as the explosives delivery truck. It is observed that the maximum IR is about 4.6´10-8 per year. This is a low risk when compared to Hong Kong Risk Guidelines which require the offsite IR from a fixed installation to be below 10-5 per year.
13.73
Both storage magazines are in
remote areas. The individual risk contours of 1 x 10-5 per year
extend outside the site boundary. However this impacts only on woodland areas
where there is no continuous presence of people. Assuming occupancy factor by
members of the public for about 2 hours per week (during the weekend or
weekdays people may be in the vicinity hiking) this would translate to a
presence factor of 0.01. The IR for specific individuals offsite would
therefore be about two orders of magnitude less than that indicated by the IR
contours, and clearly less than 10-5 per year for all the off-site
areas. Hence it can be concluded that individual risk is acceptable.
Figure 5 Maximum IR for Northern Delivery
Routes (from Tai Lam Magazine)
Figure 6 Maximum IR for Southern Delivery
Routes (from So Kwun Wat Magazine)
Figure 7 IR of Proposed Tai Lam Magazine
Indoor Outdoor
Figure 8 IR of Proposed So Kwun Wat Magazine
Indoor Outdoor
Societal Risk Results
13.74
The societal risk results for explosives storage and transport have been
combined to produce the overall societal risk results for the base case and the
worst case (Figure 9). These include the two magazine sites at Tai Lam and
So Kwun Wat and the associated transport routes to the 7 work sites.
13.75
The Base Case represents the risks associated with the envisaged
blasting programme. It can be seen that the risks lie in the upper ALARP
region.
13.76
The Worst Case represents the maximum risks associated with the worst
blasting scenario. The risks, as expected, are higher than the base case but
still within the ALARP region.
13.77
Figure 10 shows the F-N curve for the Base Case with a
breakdown by storage and transport. It is observed that risks from the
magazines are negligible compared to the transport risks since the two
magazines are located in remote areas with very low population density nearby.
13.78
The F-N curves for both base case and
worst case are within the As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) Region as
per HK EIAO-TM. Therefore, mitigation measures need to be considered to reduce
the risk. The ALARP assessment is provided in Section 9 of Appendix 13.
13.79
The potential Loss of Life (PLL) for the base case and the worst case
are given in Table 13.5 and Table 13.6 respectively. The PLL for this project has been
evaluated at 3.45 x 10-4 per year. The maximum PLL value for the
Project is estimated at 1.27 x 10-3 per year, which is obtained from
the worst case.
Figure 9 F-N Curves for Storage
and Transport of Explosives
Figure 10 F-N Curve for Base Case
with Breakdown by Transport and Storage
Table 13.5 Potential Loss of Life for Base Case
Base Case |
PLL (per year) |
Percentage Contribution (%) |
Storage of Explosives |
|
|
Tai Lam Magazine |
7.99E-09 |
0.002% |
So Kwun Wat magazine |
7.99E-09 |
0.002% |
Transport of Explosives |
||
Tai Lam Magazine to Pat Heung |
5.24E-05 |
15.21% |
Tai Lam Magazine to Tai Kong Po |
1.81E-05 |
5.26% |
Tai Lam Magazine to Ngau Tam Mei |
9.49E-06 |
2.75% |
So Kwun Wat Magazine to Shek Yam |
6.45E-05 |
18.72% |
So Kwun Wat Magazine to Shing Mun |
2.94E-06 |
0.85% |
So Kwun Wat Magazine to Kwai Chung |
1.14E-04 |
32.98% |
So Kwun Wat Magazine to |
8.35E-05 |
24.23% |
Total |
3.45E-04 |
100.00% |
Table 13.6 Potential Loss of Life for Worst Case
PLL (per year) |
Percentage Contribution (%) |
|
Storage of Explosives |
|
|
Tai Lam Magazine |
7.99E-09 |
0.001% |
So Kwun Wat magazine |
7.99E-09 |
0.001% |
Transport of Explosives |
||
Tai Lam Magazine to Pat Heung |
1.88E-04 |
14.87% |
Tai Lam Magazine to Tai Kong Po |
4.81E-05 |
3.80% |
Tai Lam Magazine to Ngau Tam Mei |
2.48E-05 |
1.96% |
So Kwun Wat Magazine to Shek Yam |
2.57E-04 |
20.26% |
So Kwun Wat Magazine to Shing Mun |
7.33E-06 |
0.58% |
So Kwun Wat Magazine to Kwai Chung |
4.08E-04 |
32.24% |
So Kwun Wat Magazine to |
3.33E-04 |
26.29% |
Total |
1.27E-03 |
100.00% |
ALARP Assessment
13.80
Since the risks posed by the project, for both cases considered, are
within the ALARP region specified in EIAO-TM Annex 4, this implies that risk
reduction measures and / or alternate options should be explored for the
Project.
13.81
It was found that the risks arising from explosives transport are much
more significant than that of explosives storage; hence the ALARP assessment
focuses on the transportation aspects of explosives.
13.82
Where the risk falls into the
ALARP region, the risks associated with each probable hazardous event should be
reduced to a level ‘as low as reasonably practicable’. This firstly requires
the identification of any ‘practicable’ options regardless of their cost. A
mitigation option is considered ‘practicable’ if an engineering solution exists
and can be implemented on the XRL project regardless of the cost without
affecting the project construction programme. Secondly, the extent to which the
risk should be reduced is usually measured as a trade off between the risk
reduction, ie the safety benefits and the cost of the risk reduction measure. A
mitigation option is considered ‘reasonable’ if the cost of implementing the
option is not grossly disproportionate to the achieved safety benefits.
13.83
Risk mitigation measures may
take the form of engineered measures, controls in the zones most impacted by
the hazardous scenarios presented by this project, or operation and procedural
controls.
Approach
to ALARP Assessment
13.84
The approach consists of
identifying potential justifiable mitigation measures, assessing their practicability for this project and evaluating their cost and
comparing with the safety benefits of implementing the measures. Combinations
of mitigation measures are also considered.
13.85
The
safety benefits are evaluated as follows:
Safety Benefits = Value of Preventing a Fatality x Aversion Factor x Reduction in PLL
value
x Design life of mitigation measure
13.86 The Value of Preventing a Fatality (VPF) reflects the tolerability of risk by the society and therefore the monetary value that the society is ready to invest to prevent a fatality. For the purpose of this assessment and for consistency with previous studies, the Value of Preventing a Fatality is taken as HK$33M per person, which is the same figure as used in previous Hazard Assessment studies (derived from ref.5 but updated to current prices.
13.87
Depending on the level of risk,
the value of preventing a fatality may be adjusted to reflect people’s aversion
to high risks or scenarios with potential for multiple fatalities. The
methodology for application of the ‘aversion factor’ follows that developed by
EPD (ref.18), in which the aversion factor is calculated on a
sliding scale from 1 (risks at the lower boundary of the ALARP region of the
Risk Guidelines) up to a maximum of 20 (risks at the upper boundary of the
ALARP region). The adjusted VPF using the aversion factor of 20 is HK$660M.
This value is a measure of how much the society is willing to invest to prevent
a fatality, where there is potential for an event to cause multiple fatalities.
13.88
The maximum justifiable expenditure for
this Project is calculated as HK$ 2.51M assuming the design life of mitigation
measure is 3 years based on the construction phase of the XRL project during
which storage and transport of explosives will be involved, with the PLL of
1.27 x 10-3 per year, which is obtained from the Worst Case.
13.89
For an ‘achievable’ mitigation
measure to be potentially justifiable, its cost should be less than the Maximum
Justifiable Expenditure.
Potential
Justifiable Mitigation Measures
13.90
The potential options that have been examined
in the ALARP assessment include the following categories.
·
Options eliminating the need for a Magazine or eliminating the risk (eg. Use of alternative methods of construction
(‘hard rock’ TBMs));
·
Options reducing significantly the quantities of explosives to be used
such as use of ‘hard rock’ TBM or alternatives to cartridged emulsion;
·
Options reducing significantly the distance run by contractors’
explosive trucks such as closer magazine sites and alternative routes. The
magazine and route options considered are summarised below:
-
The
alternative magazine sites to So Kwun Wat for the southern area and Tai Lam for
the northern area considered are: Helicopter site at
With the exception of the Lam Kam Road site, all the alternative candidate
sites meeting the Commissioner of Mines’ external separation requirements require
an additional cost, due to site constraints, significantly greater than the
maximum justifiable expenditure for risk mitigation of HK$ 2.51M (refer to
the detailed ALARP assessment in Appendix 13 Table 9.2). Therefore, the alternative
magazine site at
-
Based
on the review of the possible transport routes for this project,
·
Options reducing significantly the number of trips to be carried out by
contractors’ explosive trucks;
·
Options considering improved explosive truck design; and
·
Options considering better risk management systems and procedures.
13.91
In summary, the following options have been considered for cost-benefit
analysis.
·
Option 1: Alternative Magazine Site in Lam Kam, closer to the tunnel alignment
·
Option 2:
13.92
The PLL for Option 1 and Option 2 is compared to the PLL for the Worst
Case in Table 13.7. This was used as the basis for the cost-benefit
analysis/ ALARP assessment presented in Table 13.8
13.93
Other options considered practicable have been either recommended for
implementation or assessed comparing the implementation cost with the maximum
justifiable expenditure. The evaluation for each option is shown in Table 13.8. More details are available in Section 9 of Appendix
13.
Case |
PLL (per year) |
|
|
Worst Case |
1.27 x 10-3 |
Option 1: Alternative Magazine Site in Lam Kam |
1.08 x 10-3 |
Option 2: |
1.27 x 10-3 |
Table 13.7 Potential Loss of Life for
Worst Case, Option 1 and Option 2
Table 13.8 ALARP Assessment Results
Option Description |
Practicability |
Implementation Cost |
Safety Benefits or Justifiable Expenditure |
ALARP Assessment Result |
Use of alternative methods of
construction (TBMs) |
Not Practicable |
> HK$ 100M |
HK$ 2.51M |
Not Justified |
Use of Magazines Closer to the
Construction Sites ( (Option Case 1) |
Practicable |
> HK$ 1M |
HK$ 380k |
Not Justified |
Use of (Option Case 2) |
Practicable |
< HK$ 10k |
Negative |
|
Use of different explosive types
(different types of detonating cord) |
Pose some limitations |
HK$ 1M |
No safety benefit |
Not Justified |
Use of smaller quantities of explosives |
Not Practicable |
HK$ 6M |
HK$ 2. 51M |
Not Justified |
Safer explosive truck (reduced fire load)
|
Practicable |
- |
- |
Based on low implementation costs, this
option has been directly incorporated in recommendations |
Lower Frequency of Explosive Transport |
Not Practicable |
|
|
Option considered but ruled out as not
practicable. Not Justified |
Reduction of Accident Involvement
Frequency (training programme etc.) |
Practicable |
- |
- |
Based on low implementation costs, this option
has been directly incorporated in recommendations |
Reduction of Fire Involvement Frequency
(better emergency response, extinguisher types etc.) |
Practicable |
- |
- |
Based on low implementation costs, this
option has been directly incorporated in recommendations |
13.94
A QRA has been carried out to assess the
hazard to life issues arising from the storage and transport of explosives
during construction of the XRL Project.
13.95
The criterion of Annex 4 of the EIAO-TM for Individual Risk
is met. The assessment results show that the societal risk lies within the
ALARP region when compared to the criteria stipulated in the EIAO-TM. A
detailed ALARP assessment has been undertaken considering a wide range of
mitigation measures and the results show compliance with the ALARP principles
provided that the following recommendations are followed.
13.96
Following the
ALARP principles, the following recommendations are justified and should be implemented
to meet the EIAO-TM requirements:
·
The truck design should be improved to reduce the amount of combustibles
in the cabin. The fuel carried in the fuel tank should also be minimised to
reduce the duration of any fire;
·
The explosive truck accident frequency should be minimized by
implementing a dedicated training programme for both the driver and his
attendants, including regular briefing sessions, implementation of a defensive
driving attitude. In addition, drivers should be selected based on good safety
record, and medical checks;
·
The contractor should as far as practicable combine the explosive
deliveries for a given work area;
·
Only the required quantity of explosives for a particular blast should
be transported to avoid the return of unused explosives to the magazines.
·
Whenever practicable, a minimum headway between two consecutive truck
convoys of 10 min is recommended; and
·
The explosive truck fire involvement frequency should be minimized by
implementing a better emergency response and training to make sure the adequate
fire extinguishers are used and attempt is made to evacuate the area of the
incident or securing the explosive load if possible. All explosive vehicles
should also be equipped with bigger capacity AFFF-type extinguishers.
General Recommendations
13.97
Blasting
activities including storage and transport of explosives should be supervised
and audited by competent site staff to ensure strict compliance with the
blasting permit conditions. The following general recommendation should also be
considered for the storage and transport of explosives:
·
The security plan should address different alert security level to
reduce opportunity for arson / deliberate initiation of explosives. The
corresponding security procedure should be implemented with respect to
prevailing security alert status announced by the Government.
·
Emergency plan (ie magazine operational manual) shall be developed to
address uncontrolled fire in magazine area and transport. The case of fire near
an explosive carrying truck in jammed traffic should also be covered. Drill of
the emergency plan should be carried out at regular intervals.
·
Adverse weather working guideline should be developed to clearly define
procedure for transport explosives during thunderstorm.
Storage of Explosives in Magazine
Store
13.98 The magazine should be designed, operated and maintained in accordance with Mines Division guidelines and appropriate industry best practice. In addition, the following recommendations should be implemented:
·
A suitable work control system should be introduced, such as an
operational manual including Permit-to-Work system, to ensure that work
activities undertaken during the operation of the magazine are properly
controlled.
·
There should be good house-keeping within the magazine to ensure that
combustible materials are not allowed to accumulate.
·
The magazine shall be without open drains, traps, pits or pockets into
which any molten ammonium nitrate could flow and be confined in the event of a
fire.
·
The magazine building shall be regularly checked for water seepage
through the roof, walls or floor.
·
Caked explosives shall be disposed of in an appropriate manner.
·
Delivery vehicles shall not be permitted to remain within the secured
fenced off magazine store area.
·
Good housekeeping outside the magazine stores to be followed to ensure
combustibles (including vegetation) are removed.
·
A speed limit within the magazine area should be enforced to reduce the
risk of a vehicle impact or incident within the magazine area.
General
Recommendations:
13.99
The following measures should be
considered for safe transport of explosives:
·
Detonators shall not be transported in the same vehicle with other Class
1 explosives. Separation of vehicles should be maintained during the whole
trip.
·
Location for stopping and unloading from truck to be provided as close
as possible to shaft, free from dropped loads, hot work, etc. during time of
unloading.
·
Develop procedure to ensure that parking space on the site is available
for the explosive truck. Confirmation of parking space should be communicated
to truck drivers before delivery. If parking space on site cannot be secure,
delivery should not commence.
·
During transport of the explosives within the tunnel, hot work or other
activities should not be permitted in the vicinity of the explosives offloading
or charging activities.
·
Ensure lining is provided within the transportation box on the vehicle
and in good condition before transportation.
·
Ensure that packaging of detonators remains intact until handed over at
blasting site.
·
Emergency plan to include activation of fuel and battery isolation
switches on vehicle when fire breaks out to prevent fire spreading and reducing
likelihood of prolonged fire leading to explosion.
·
Use only experienced driver(s) with good safety record.
·
Ensure that cartridged emulsion packages are damage free before every
trip.
·
Contractors Licensed Vehicle Recommended Safety Requirements:
·
·
Front mounted exhaust with spark arrestor;
·
Fuel level should be kept as far as possible to the minimum level
required for the transport of explosives;
·
Minimum 1 x 9 kg water based AFFF fire extinguisher to be provided;
·
Minimum 1 x 9 kg dry chemical powder fire extinguisher to be provided;
·
Horizontal fire screen on cargo deck and vertical fire screen mounted at
least 150mm behind the drivers cab and 100mm from the steel cargo compartment,
the vertical screen shall protrude 150mm in excess of all three ( 3 ) sides of
the steel cargo compartment;
·
Cigarette lighter removed;
·
Two ( 2 ) battery powered torches for night deliveries;
·
Vehicles shall be brand new, dedicated explosive transport vehicles and should
be maintained in good operating condition;
·
Daily checks on tyres and vehicle integrity;
·
Regular monthly vehicle inspections;
-
Fuel
system
-
Exhaust
system
-
Brakes
-
Electrics
-
-
Cooling
system
-
Engine
oil leaks
·
Vehicle log book in which monthly inspections and maintenance
requirements are recorded; and
·
Mobile telephone equipped.
Recommended
Requirements for the Driver of the Explosive Vehicles:
13.100
The driver shall:
·
be registered by the Commissioner of Mines and must be over the age of
25 years with proven accident free records and more than 7 year driving
experience without suspension.
·
hold a Driving License for the class of vehicle for at least one ( 1 )
year;
·
adopt a safe driving practice including having attended a defensive
driving course;
·
pass a medical check and is assessed as fit to drive explosives
vehicles;
·
not be dependent on banned substances;
13.101
Some of the following requirements may also apply to
the vehicle attendant(s).
·
The driver is required to attend relevant training courses recognized by
the Commissioner of Mines. The training courses should include the following
major subjects, but not limited to:
-
the
laws and Regulations relating to the transport of explosives;
-
security
and safe handling during the transport of explosives;
·
Attend training courses provided by the explosives manufacturer or
distributor, covering the following:
-
explosives
identification;
-
explosion
hazards; and
-
explosives
sensitivity;
-
the
dangers which could be caused by the types of explosives;
-
the
packaging, labelling and characteristics of the types of explosives;
-
the
use of fire extinguishers and fire fighting procedures; and
-
emergency
response procedures in case of accidents.
13.102
The driver should additionally be responsible for the
following:
·
The driver shall have a full set of Material Safety Data Sheets ( MSDS )
for each individual explosive aboard the vehicle for the particular journey;
·
The MSDS and Removal Permit ( where applicable ) shall be produced to
any officer of the Mines Division of CEDD upon request;
·
A card detailing emergency procedures shall be kept on board and
displayed in a prominent place on the drivers door;
·
Before leaving the magazine the driver together with and/or assisted by
the shotfirer shall check the following:
·
Packaging integrity and labelling;
·
Check that the types and quantities of explosives loaded onto the
vehicle are as stipulated in the Removal Permit(s);
·
Check that the explosive load does not exceed the quantities stated in
the removal permit;
·
Check the condition and integrity of the cargo compartment or box;
·
Check that detonators are not loaded in the explosives cargo compartment
and vice versa;
·
Check that the cargo is secured and cannot be damaged during the
delivery;
·
Ensure that the appropriate placards and a red flag are displayed before
leaving the magazine;
·
Be competent to operate all equipment onboard the vehicle including fire
extinguishers and the vehicle emergency cut-off switches;
·
Prohibit smoking when the vehicle is loaded with explosives;
·
When explosives are loaded, ensure the vehicle is not left unattended;
·
Be conversant with emergency response procedures.
Specific
Recommended Requirements for the Explosive Vehicle Attendants:
13.103
When the vehicle is loaded with explosives, it shall be
attended by the driver and at least one (1) other person authorized by the
Commissioner of Mines. The vehicle attendant shall:
·
Be the assistant to the driver in normal working conditions and in case
of any emergency
·
Be conversant with the emergency response procedures
·
Be competent to use the fire extinguishers and the vehicle emergency
cut-off switches
·
One of the vehicle attendant(s) should be equipped with mobile phones
and the relevant MSDS and emergency response plan.
Type of Explosives & their
Disposal
13.104 For explosive selection, the following should be
considered
·
Cartridged Emulsions with perchlorate formulation should be avoided;
·
Cartridged Emulsions with high water content should be preferred.
13.105 If disposal is required for small quantities,
disposal should be made in a controlled and safe manner by a Registered
Shotfirer.
1.
MTRC, Consultancy Agreement No. NEX-2102, Express Rail
Link – Preliminary Design for XRL Tunnels & Associated Structures, “Working
Paper No. 13A – Explosives Magazine Site Selection“, 2008. (MTRC 5)
2.
ERM,
5.
ACDS, Risk from Handling
Explosives in Ports, HSC Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances,
9. CEDD, Guidance Note on Requirements for
Approval of an Explosives Delivery Vehicle, http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/services/mines_quarries/doc/gn_03_edv.pdf (CEDD 2)
10. CEDD, How to apply for a Mode A Explosives
Store Licence, http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/services/mines_quarries/doc/mode_a_store.pdf (CEDD 3)
11. Lands Department, Geographic Information System (GIS) database, http://www.landsd.gov.hk/mapping/en/digital_map/mapprod.htm The latest information on the GIS map of buildings from the Lands Department used in this study comes from 2007/2008 (LD, 2008)
12. Transport Department, Annual Traffic Census 2007 (ATC, 2007)
14.
Transport
Department, Road Traffic Accidents at Junction by Junction Type, Junction
Control and Severity 2007, http://www.td.gov.hk/FileManager/EN/Content_1943/07fig2.12e.pdf (TD, 2007b)
15. UK Health and Safety Executive (UK HSE)’s Explosives Incidents Database Advisory Service (EIDAS)
16. Incident database retrieved from US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MHSA)
17. DOCEP, Incident Log Reports retrieved from http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/resourcesSafety/Content/Dangerous_Goods/Incident_log_reports/index.htm (DOCEP)