Assignment title: Information
Dangerton is a town of 12,000 people. It was developed in the 1920s as accommodation for oil refinery workers and their families, and expanded through the 1960s as the refinery’s production capacity was increased. The oil and gas processed there can contain up to 20% hydrogen sulphide (H2S). This is removed and processed to produce large quantities of solid suphur, which is stored next to the refinery before being transported by a conveyor 5km to the port facility to be loaded onto ships. Much of the industrial installation in Dangerton Refinery is old and there have been a number of accidents. Since 1965 there have been 3 explosions, each resulting in several injuries and one causing a death. Each shut a quarter of the refinery down for up to 3 months. During an upgrade in 1999, H2S escaping from a faulty valve seal killed 3 workers on the site. Another H2S leak killed 2 workers last year. There are also continuing fugitive emissions of H2S that affect the community when the wind blows from the east. About twice a year the school has to be closed for several days and people across the town complain of headaches and nausea.Dangerton is subject to severe rain and the river sometimes bursts its banks. Housing development on the flood plains has worsened the effects of flooding. In 1999, 2006 and 2010 up to a quarter of the town was flooded, with damage caused to hundreds of houses, roads and bridges. Extensive work is being done to construct barriers to divert flood water downstream of the town. This work is still not completed, but it has helped. Another flood this year contaminated the town’s water supply for 6 weeks but property damage was minimal. Mountains lie at the western edge of the town and in 1934, rains created a mud slide that engulfed a school, killing all 55 children and 6 adults. This tragedy is remembered in a ceremony every year. 1. Following the 2010 flood, what phase or phases of the disaster management cycle is Dangerton currently in? Why? (2 marks) 2. Using the scenario above, Identify the hazards that may exist in Dangerton. (5 marks)