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“We must succeed in prevention, but we also need to be prepared for when things go wrong,” said the head of the crisis cell at the end of the exercise.
The simulation, conducted on the morning of December 17 and evaluated by an independent entity, went beyond legal requirements. While regulations mandate biennial exercises for lower-risk facilities, HyChem maintains the practice of holding annual full-scale drills.
The scenario involved a laboratory fire triggered by the fall of a hydrogen cylinder, resulting in ignition and a simulated minor injury. Given the laboratory’s characteristics and its proximity to the gas park, the situation posed a potential risk. Prompt action by the Emergency Brigade—responsible for firefighting and rescue—prevented escalation, with responders containing the fire and evacuating the “injured” worker to a safe area.
The activation of the Internal Emergency Plan led to the sounding of alarms, partial evacuation of facilities, mobilization of the crisis cell, and the request for support from the municipal Fire Department. Fire crews arrived swiftly, providing medical assistance and extinguishing the flames.
Around 30 minutes after the start of the drill, the emergency was declared under control and operations at the industrial park returned to normal. A joint debrief followed, bringing together internal teams, external responders, and observers.
Evaluators deemed the exercise successful, praising the handling of the victim, the protection of risk areas, and the management of the crisis room. They also identified areas for improvement, which will be addressed through corrective measures to further strengthen emergency preparedness.