Industry, pipelines and networks
The sector Industry, pipelines and networks has an operational sector that covers a lot of ground. This sector is responsible for the following areas:
- Heavy industry, including the petroleum industry
- Light industry, including the graphical sector and the wood and building materials industry
- Metal and electro
- Pipelines and pipes for the conveyance of gases and fluids. Pipelines are used to convey such products as natural gas, oil and oil products, gaseous and fluid chemical products and drinking water and waste water over long distances. At the current time, about 18,000 km of underground pipework has been laid in Dutch soil that is used to transport hazardous substances (mainly natural gas and inflammable liquids).
In this sector, under current European legislation there is an obligation to investigate incidents. These notifications relate to incidents registered in the Major Accident Reporting System (MARS).
The investigations in this sector are carried out by the Board’s own in-house investigators, with this sector being advised by a standing committee.
Reporting an incident
If according to the Gasnetbeheerders (gas network managers) criteria there is an incident that needs to be reported, do so immediately by phone as follows:
A. Dutch Safety Board’s emergency number 0800–63537888
B. Gastec’s fault-reporting numbers: 055-5393328 during office hours 06-53287332 outside office hours
In the event of a serious incident as defined by the regional gas network managers’ criteria, the incident should in principle be reported by fax to the Dutch Safety Board within 5 working days. If more time is needed in order to provide more comprehensive information then a notification may be made within 20 days.
The Dutch Safety Board’s fax number is: 070 – 3337078.
In addition, the system of centralised notification and recording of accidents and incidents means that the notification form for gas-related accidents (‘meldingsformulier gasongevallen’) must be filled in and faxed to Gastec Certification at fax number 055-5393685.