3 Common Accidents in Factories and Guidelines for Damage Assessment and Recovery

Factories are industrial sites where goods are stored and produced, with people and machinery constantly in motion. Because of this, they are at high risk of accidents.

This article presents three of the most common accidents in factories, along with guidelines for assessing damage for recovery.

The 3 Most Common Types of Accidents in Factories

1. Fire Incidents

Causes:

• Electrical short circuits – caused by old electrical appliances or wiring, substandard equipment and machinery, overloading extension cords, or moisture-related short circuits.
• Chemical reactions – some chemicals may react and ignite, or chemical leaks may result in spontaneous combustion.
• Heat accumulation – occurs in areas where heat is continuously released without sufficient ventilation, leading to a fire outbreak.
• Natural disasters – such as lightning strikes in areas with flammable substances.
• Negligence – unsafe behavior that generates sparks or improper storage of hazardous materials.

Impacts of fire damage include:

• Injuries and fatalities – from flames, heat, and toxic smoke, including long-term respiratory effects.
• Damage to buildings and property – which may or may not be repairable.
• Business interruption – temporary suspension of production and operations during recovery.

2. Chemical Spills

Causes:

• Damaged storage tanks and containers – such as broken or corroded pipes and valves, old pipelines, or loose valves causing leakage.
• Failure of safety equipment – malfunctions in pressure control systems or ventilation systems that cause pressure buildup and tank explosions.
• Lack of knowledge and skills in chemical handling – improper transfer, storage, or packaging leading to leaks.
• Excessive temperature – causing some chemicals to expand and create high pressure inside containers, resulting in explosions.
• Earthquakes – vibrations may damage chemical pipelines, storage tanks, or factory structures, causing leaks.

Impacts of chemical spills include:

• Acute illness and fatalities – inhalation or contact with hazardous substances may cause severe irritation, toxic accumulation in the body, respiratory failure, or even death.
• Business disruption – interruptions in operations to handle the incident, resulting in loss of income and customers.
• Reputational damage – harming the organization’s image and credibility, leading to loss of trust among stakeholders and surrounding communities.
• Restoration costs – for cleanup and decontamination of affected areas, chemical treatment, and repairing damaged facilities.
• Fines and lawsuits – business owners may face legal liability and financial penalties in addition to compensation costs.

3. Water Damage

Causes:

• Failures in water management systems – such as burst pipes or malfunctioning sprinklers, which damage machinery and electrical equipment and increase the risk of mold.
• Natural disasters – heavy rain or storms causing flooding, severely damaging building structures and machinery.
• Contaminated floodwater – carrying chemicals into raw materials and chemicals stored in the factory, resulting in damage and pollution.

Impacts of water damage include:

• Property damage – to raw materials, products, important documents, machinery, and electrical equipment, with the added risk of short circuits.
• Structural deterioration – flooding causes steel structures to corrode and may even lead to building collapse.
• Business interruption – production halts during repairs and recovery, causing income loss and additional expenses.

Initial Guidelines for Damage Assessment After an Incident

Step 1: Secure the Area

Prevent further potential damage and create a safe environment for rescue and assessment teams.

Step 2: Initial Documentation

Provide evidence for insurance claims, reference data for restoration teams, and support root cause analysis to prevent future incidents.

Step 3: Categorize Visible Damage

Helps prioritize recovery efforts and supports accurate preliminary cost estimation.

Why Is Professional Damage Assessment Critical?

Hidden damages are damages concealed within the structure or systems of the factory that are not immediately apparent after a disaster but can cause long-term impacts if not assessed and repaired by experts. Examples include:

• Internal structural damage
• Chemical contamination
• Corrosion of electronic equipment
• Mold damage
• Damaged pipelines

Damage Assessment with Advanced Tools and Technology from Experts

Inspection with advanced tools and technology
Experts use specialized tools and technology to identify and evaluate hidden damages, including:

• Thermal Imaging Camera
• Electronic Moisture Meter

Reliability of Reports for Insurance Claims

Damage assessment reports are prepared with complete and detailed information by highly qualified experts. This ensures insurers can fairly and transparently evaluate compensation.

After a disaster, restoring and recovering a factory is a major challenge. Accurate damage assessment is therefore critically important.

Thus, engaging professional damage assessment services is not only about facilitating insurance claims, but also about raising safety standards and resolving potential long-term issues from the very beginning.

If you are looking for damage recovery experts, BELFOR Thailand is ready to provide consultation and effective recovery planning, backed by global-standard experience and professionalism.