What is involved in mitigation?
Continuing on the theme of extreme meteorological events, consider for a moment the range of effects they can have in a populated area. If there is a sudden flood this can directly affect communications, buildings and roads, industry and agricultural land, threaten individual lives and property, and make huge demands on emergency services.
We may not be able to stop the next flood from occurring, but we can reduce its effects. This reduction is brought about by a modification of the way we carry out our everyday lives, and can include changes to:
structures such as bridges, dams, dikes, buildings, roads, etc.; |
An example of this type of modification is the Thames Flood Barrier (seen in Fig 5.1 below). Fig 5.1 Thames Flood Barrier. |
organisations, including a more proactive approach to hazards, and a better understanding of the means for recovering from emergencies, and better coordination in emergency management; |
An example of this type of modification is the establishment of a risk management committee and development of risk management strategies in an organisation. The Emergency Risk Management Unit at the University of New South Wales is a very good example of this type of modification. (http://www.facilities.unsw.edu.au/safety-security/emergency-management) |
legal and standards systems, and their application to such matters as structural integrity, insurance coverage and emergency powers; |
The development of building standards and regulations at local, State and national levels is a good example of this type of modification. One example that you might be interested in looking at is the support of building standards and regulations by the Tasmanian Department of Justice’s, Workplace Standards Tasmania. (http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/industries/building/bca) |
activities, such as agriculture and industries, with the intention of developing a safer and more resilient approach. |
The Animal Health Australia plan for managing Newcastle Disease is one such example. (http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/programs/special/ndv.cfm) |
A further example of mitigation (and to some extent preparedness) measures comes again from the field of hazardous materials. Let us consider the safety features of large containers of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) that are used in industry.
These measures may include:
- a stenching agent (often a 'mercaptan' which has a very strong and unpleasant smell) is added to the gas to aid detection of leaks;
- the containers are very well designed and are regularly inspected;
- the containers have excess pressure relief valves in case of overpressure;
- they are sited appropriately in relation to ignition sources;
- they are installed by a trained fitter and placed on concrete platforms for stability;
- barriers are erected around the container to reduce the likelihood of rupture due to impact;
- water deluge systems are placed above the containers to cool them in case of a fire;
- the containers are labelled with the name of the material inside;
- large labels with material type and emergency information are placed near the containers;
- the gas for filling the containers is transported in appropriate, regularly inspected, labelled vehicles by trained drivers who carry emergency procedure guides in case of emergency.