READINESS OF LARGE INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONES - THEORY AND PRACTICE

Every day we get news of major accidents, hazards, and natural disasters emerges. The number of victims, material losses, and the interruption of workdays accompanying such events is devastating. In today's industrial environment, risk management and emergency preparedness are imperative for preserving safety, the environment, property, and, most importantly, human life. Large industrial facilities, due to their vast size and the complexity of various actions and processes occurring within them, pose potential risks in the event of accidents, natural disasters, or other extraordinary events. This paper analyzes the theoretical approaches and practical aspects of the readiness of industrial facilities to act in emergency situations, emphasizing prevention, preparation, response, and recovery strategies, accompanied by a case study of adverse events history. First, it discusses a theoretical framework encompassing normative and legal obligations, international standards and norms, as well as scientific research related to risk and crisis management in the industrial sector. The "Hyogo Framework for Action" and the "Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction" are among the most important international frameworks for risk reduction and emergency response improvement, setting guidelines for risk reduction and managing responses to natural and technological disasters. These frameworks provide the foundation for developing policies and strategies to be adopted by industrial enterprises to protect people and property, both movable and immovable tangible assets, as well as ensuring stability during emergency situations. The paper also discusses the legal frameworks in the Republic of Serbia that define the obligations of industrial facilities concerning protection against extraordinary events, primarily the Law on Disaster Risk Protection and Emergency Management (Official Gazette of Republic of Serbia 87/18) and its bylaws. Additionally, this part of the paper delves into specific problems in implementing these standards in everyday operations. One of the key aspects of emergency preparedness is the development of planning documents that regulate actions in the event of emergencies, primarily disaster risk assessments, protection and rescue plans, and accident protection plans. In the case of SEVESO facilities, this includes external accident protection plans for the territory where the facility is stationary. These documents cover various scenarios, from natural disasters to technological accidents, and provide the basis for rapid and effective action. Unfortunately, practice shows that many industrial plants, despite the existence of these documents, often do not test the implementation of the plans, leading to insufficiently prepared and coordinated responses in emergency situations. Elaborating on this issue reveals the difference between the theoretical and practical approaches to security in the industry, where the practical application of documents and procedures is often neglected. The solution to this problem lies in adequate training for employees and management at all levels, as well as raising readiness in peacetime for strategic, tactical, and operational actions in emergency situations. Continuous education leads to a high level of readiness. However, many companies neglect this segment, focusing mainly on documentation, which can lead to incompetence and chaos, or the emergence of mass panic psychology during a real emergency. Through the analysis of concrete case studies, the paper explores real-world examples from practice, such as floods, fires, earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic, and their role in shaping emergency strategies and plans. The responses of large industrial facilities in these situations, as well as the problems they encountered and the losses they caused, were analyzed to draw lessons for improving future preparedness. For example, during floods and earthquakes, many factories faced problems with infrastructure resilience, fires and explosions occurred due to human negligence or non-compliance with rules, while the COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in crisis management and the adaptability of work processes to change. A very important segment that will be addressed is the recovery of facilities and the community after an emergency situation, with a comparison of investments in strengthening industrial safety and the consequences that arise after emergency situations, to present the concept of rapid response - minimal consequences. The conclusion of the paper emphasizes the importance of continuously improving the preparedness system, which must be dynamic and adaptable to ensure an effective response in emergency situations. Greater integration of theoretical and practical aspects is also crucial to ensure an effective response to emergency situations and minimize their negative effects. This work will benefit managers, engineers, decision-makers, and all other stakeholders by raising awareness of the importance of prevention in the security of industrial complexes.