Informing the public about potential risks

The European SEVESO Directive was translated into our national legislation in the form of Act No. 261/2002 Coll., on the Prevention of Industrial Accidents. The law provides for an obligation to inform the general public on how to behave in the event of a major industrial accident relating to Slovnaft’s activities.

Procedure for warning the population in the case of MIA and provision of information
Citizens are notified about the occurrence of a major industrial accident in the area of Slovnaft and the subsequent release of hazardous substances into the air which may endanger the health and lives of the population, the environment and property, through electronic warning sirens - a 2-minute fluctuating tone for a general threat, followed by verbal information about what has occurred. Warnings may also be disclosed through internal, city and town radio station instructions with additional information for the population. In the event of a failure in siren warning signals or radio broadcasts, residents will be informed by Ministry of the Interior personnel using megaphones. The sirens are tested nationwide once a month on every second Friday at 12.00 p.m. with a 2-minute steady tone and electronic sirens twice a year as directed by the Slovakian Ministry of the Interior.

Other signals:
6-minute steady siren tone = water hazard
2-minute steady siren tone = end of threat

What to do in case of MIA
Recommended behaviour for citizens
When a siren warning signal sounds (if it is not a routine test as described above), it may be assumed that there has been a serious incident resulting in a threat to the health and lives of citizens, the environment, animals and property. The siren will be followed by information about the particular type of accident and recommended behaviour of the population.

Generally applicable guidelines

• keep calm, act thoughtfully, do not succumb to panic
• follow the instructions of emergency workers, local government and state administration
• exercise the option to contact the emergency number 112 (150, 155.158), in Slovnaft, 4055 2222, 4055 2244
• warn other threatened persons
• protect yourself depending on the type of accident and protect other people where possible
• immediately leave the danger zone, if possible
• before leaving a building, finish any activities involving open fires and turn off electric and gas appliances

The procedure depending on the type of accident

IN CASE OF FIRE

• promptly leave the source of the fire and do not stay in the hazard area; seek shelter in buildings, close windows and doors
• turn off ventilation and wait for further instructions from the competent authorities
• call the Integrated Rescue System (112), in Slovnaft, 4055 2222, 4055 224

IN CASE OF A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RELEASE

• if possible, stay at home or go into the nearest building and stay in a room with the smallest number of windows that face away from the wind direction
• close all doors, windows and turn off ventilation and air conditioning
• monitor local radio broadcasts and other broadcast media
• keep calm, do not leave the protective premises until instructions to do so are issued
• do not unnecessarily burden telephone networks

AFTER AN EXPLOSION

• do not stay in the immediate proximity of the accident but move away to a safe distance
• hide in buildings and close windows and doors, ventilation openings
• wait for further instructions from rescue units and the competent authorities

First aid

First aid is the first treatment provided to an injured person before the arrival of an ambulance or qualified professional. Proper first aid helps to save lives, prevent the deterioration of health and accelerate recovery.

How to proceed:

• without risking your own life, try to find out what has happened
• remove the injured person as quickly as possible from the danger area
• if the injured person is unconscious, provide artificial respiration
• after restoring normal breathing, reassure the injured person and provide them with calm and warmth while semi-sitting
• summon medical emergency help and arrange transport for the injured person to obtain professional medical treatment

What equipment we need:

• first aid kit
• if a first aid kit is not available, it is necessary to use all available appropriate means and improvise

Prepared by Slovnaft’s Civil Protection Unit for the purpose of informing the general public within the meaning of Paragraph 22 of Act No. 261/2002 Coll.