Companies that handle large quantities of hazardous substances do not sufficiently prioritise the development of knowledge needed to reduce the risks of a major accident in the workplace. At these so-called 'ARIE companies', which are obliged to operate in line with the Additional Risk Assessment and Evaluation Regulation, it is not yet standard practice to perform a systematic risk analysis and take the appropriate precautions. That is the conclusion of the Netherlands Labour Authority following the implementation of the revised ARIE regulation in the period 2023-2025.
More knowledge required
The Netherlands Labour Authority initiated the implementation process for the revised ARIE Regulation in 2023, so that the affected companies could prepare and lay a foundation for risk-based inspections. The ensuing report makes it clear that, although most ARIE companies are willing to cooperate and are more aware of the risks, they also need to treat the development of the knowledge required to achieve a significant reduction in the risk of a major accident as more of a priority.
Recommendations insufficiently specific
The Netherlands Labour Authority is also critical of the role of advisors, whose recommendations focus insufficiently on the specific situations their clients face. As Programme Manager Charlotte Kottier explains, 'While companies do get consultants involved, they themselves are not knowledgeable enough about what the ARIE Regulation actually entails. That has consequences for the instructions they give to the consultants and also, therefore, for the advice they ultimately receive. The dialogue between the company and the consultant will not achieve the right results if the company does not have the necessary expertise.' As a result the analyses made and the corresponding measures will be too general and will not address the specific risks present within the company in question. This will result in a situation in which the company believes it has taken the appropriate measures, yet the risk of a serious accident continues to be unacceptably high.
Risk of a serious accident
In the ARIE 2023–2025 Implementation Report (Dutch), the Netherlands Labour Authority reflects on the implementation of the revised ARIE Regulation, which applies to companies that handle quantities and combinations of hazardous substances that pose a high risk of a major accident. These include hazardous substances used for the cleaning of installations, metalworking or the production of chemicals at companies operating in, for example, the dairy and food processing, water treatment, metalworking, bulk storage and transhipment, and chemicals industries.