This study examined the facilities involved in the downstream sector of the industry involving processing, pipeline transfer and storage. The distribution of accidents in terms of frequencies, probable causes and casualties associated with them are presented. The study was based on selected published data over the past fifty five years. It was found that over the study period the highest number of facilities involved was plants and refineries with 58.8% and storage representing 29.4%. About 65% involved fatalities. The maximum number of casualties was 500 recorded by the Mexico City liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)fire and explosion, a minimum of zero and a standard deviation of 120 lives. Weak leadership, lack of training and breakdown of systems and procedures were identified as important contributory factors. The recruitment of leadership positions needs to be critically reexamined and training methods have to be improved. Approaches to ensure reduced number of incidents and the right leadership during a real crisis situation are required.
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