Inspections

With inspections conducted at chemical facilities, Tukes ensures that the facility complies with the terms of the permit as well as the legislation. You can only start handling and storing dangerous chemicals after passing the commissioning inspection. After the commissioning inspection, periodic inspections are conducted regularly.

Based on the frequency of periodic inspections, chemical facilities are divided into the following groups:

  • facility obliged to provide a safety report
  • facility obliged to provide a major accident prevention policy document
  • facility with a permit.

The scope of the production facility’s operations and the changes made at the facility:

Scope of the production facility’s operations Frequency of periodic inspections Commissioning inspection to be conducted
Facility obliged to provide a safety report 1 year Yes
Facility obliged to provide a major accident prevention policy document 3 years Yes
Facility with a permit 5 years Yes
Notification, temporary operations included In accordance with the inspection plan of the rescue department Yes
No obligation to notify -

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Risk-based approach

The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) carries out risk-based monitoring of chemical plants. The risk-based approach means that Tukes monitors plants with large volumes of chemicals and significant accident risks more frequently.
 
The inspection schedule can be changed based on the plant’s incident and accident data and observations made during an inspection. The inspection schedule is also dependent on the risk number assigned to the site. Factors affecting the risk number include 

  • site’s process hazards;
  • accident scenarios and impact areas; and 
  • location of the production plant.  

 
As part of the preparation for a periodic or commissioning inspection, the operator prepares a provisional risk number calculation. The risk number calculation is processed in the inspection and amended as necessary. Tukes confirms the risk number calculation and assesses the need to change the periodic inspection schedule, also considering other monitoring findings. The risk number calculation is reviewed and, if necessary, updated after changes have been made. 

Act as follows