were the main of them (31%).The second source of accidents is in the process area (19%), starting in pumps or compressors and fired process equipment.
Storage areas occupy the third position concerning places where an accident can originate (15%), involving mainly atmospheric pressure and pressurized storage vessels, and pipelines in a minor percentage.
These results are in good agreement with the ones obtained by Vílchez, Sevilla, Montiel, & Casal (1995) in a historical analysis of accidents occurred in the chemical industry and hazardous materials transportation at a worldwide scale.