The risk of a major accident at the facility that may affect the local community is extremely low.
Through strict adherence to the Department of Defence’s guidelines across all areas of our operations, Thales Australia ensures the Mulwala site adheres to global best practice, helping ensure the surrounding communities, Thales employees, and public and private assets, are subjected to minimum risk.
The following table outlines the potential events at the facility that may in some circumstances affect the community. Every effort is taken by Thales to ensure such events do not occur and in the unlikely event such an event occurs, Thales and the local emergency services have extensive plans in place to minimise any effects of the local community.
| POTENTIAL ACCIDENT | ||||
| POTENTIAL EFFECTS | FIRE | EXPLOSION | VAPOUR RELEASE | CHEMICAL SPILL |
| On people | A fire originating from the site would only threaten the local community if uncontrolled on-site. Effects would be consistent with bushfire. |
Minor to moderate injuries caused by dislodged fittings and fixtures and cracked or broken windows. There is an extremely remote chance of injury due to direct effects of the explosion. | Ammonia – Ammonia vapours can be toxic if adequate precautions are not taken. Likely initial effects include nausea and headaches. Note: A nuisance odour spreads far beyond any hazardous event. Ether/Ethanol/Acid – While there may be a nuisance odour and some minor irritation, no serious effects expected. |
Any adverse effects would be caused by a subsequent vapour release - please refer to vapour release |
| On property | See effects on people | See effects on people | Vapour releases are not expected to adversely affect property off-site | Chemical spills are not expected to adversely affect property off-site |
| On the environment | Consistent with conventional fire effects and fire fighting methods. |
Potential impacts would be limited to damage of vegetation (i.e. trees) in the immediate vicinity. | Large releases of ammonia may have an adverse effect on aquatic life if not controlled adequately. Large releases of ether or ethanol are not expected to have a significant impact. A release of nitric acid may result in a release of nitric fumes. These fumes may be washed out of the atmosphere by rain. |
While a spill may initially reach the ground, every effort would be taken to prevent long-term contamination. |
| HOW THE COMMUNITY WILL BE NOTIFIED | ||||
Notification may occur via several methods, such as an obvious emergency event, emergency services notification. Note: The on-site siren is not an indication of a major accident. |
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| WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY | ||||
| Activate Fire Plans as per civil fire service guidance | Residents should remain in their homes with all windows closed unless instructed to evacuate or an all clear is sounded by the relevant authorities. | Residents should remain in their homes with all windows closed unless instructed to evacuate or an all clear is sounded by the relevant authorities. | Residents should remain in their homes with all windows closed unless instructed to evacuate or an all clear is sounded by the relevant authorities. | |