Safety as a constant priority
Following the tragic accident at Eni’s depot in Calenzano, Giuseppe Ciarcelluto, president of Assidal, highlighted the urgent need to prioritize workplace safety. “Safety must be a constant priority, not just an emotional reaction to tragic events,” Ciarcelluto stated. Every day, numerous work accidents occur in Italy, many of them fatal—a reality that must not be ignored.
The Calenzano accident, caused by an explosion with severe consequences, has refocused attention on facilities classified as high-risk sites under the Seveso directive. “In these contexts,” Ciarcelluto added, “it is essential to compartmentalize operations, avoiding overlapping high-risk activities.” Separating tasks, such as tanker refueling and equipment maintenance, could be crucial to preventing future disasters.
The role of companies and safety management
Corrado Palestini, member of Assidal’s Technical-Scientific Committee and Head of Hse at Fater Spa, emphasized the importance of a solid and constantly monitored safety management system. “In Seveso-regulated sites, safety relies on three pillars: equipment safety, maintenance, and training,” Palestini explained.
Facilities must be designed with advanced safety systems and maintained through rigorous inspections. Operating procedures must be strictly followed, and personnel adequately trained and informed. Palestini also stressed the vital role of the prevention service, which builds skills among both workers and supervisors. “A prevention service that fails exposes the company to enormous risks,” he concluded.
Toward a collective commitment
Assidal’s message is clear: structural interventions and collective commitment are needed to reduce workplace accidents. Only through a culture of prevention and shared responsibility can safer working environments be achieved.
