In 1984, the world was shocked by the industrial disaster in Bhopal, India, when the accidental release of deadly methyl isocyanate killed more than 2,500 people and injured over 200,000, and by the fire and explosion catastrophe in Mexico City which killed more than 500 persons. Measures to prevent major industrial accidents are necessary not only in highly industrialized countries, but also in countries where the infrastructure to prevent and control them has not been adequately developed.

The ILO, in 1985, convened an ad hoc meeting of experts in order to obtain guidance on control of major hazards. To give effect to the meeting's recommendations, the ILO has taken a series of actions resulting in the adoption of the Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents Convention, 1993 (No.174). The Convention sets standards for the protection of workers, the public, and the environment against major accidents. It applies to installations which produce, process, handle, use, dispose of or store - either permanently or temporarily - hazardous substances exceeding their established threshold quantities. It does not apply to nuclear installations and plants processing radioactive substances, military installations, and transport outside the installation site other than by pipeline. The major elements of this Convention are briefly described in Chapter 3.

This publication draws on and should be read in conjunction with the following ILO publications

• Major hazard control: A practical manual, 1990.

• Prevention of major industrial accidents: An ILO code of practice, 1991.

This publication is intended to help ILO member States in Asia and the Pacific to implement the principles of ILO Convention No. 174. It presents a plan of action for establishing a major hazard control system to prevent accidents involving hazardous substances and limit their consequences if they occur.