Barragens hidrelétricas e desastres : uma avaliação de metodologias de gestão de risco ambiental

Abstract

This work provides subsidies and orientations for the development of an environmental risk management plan for Brazilian hydro power-plants dams, using ISO 31000 as guideline. Initially it was shown through surveys conducted by the authors studied, more than 400 occurrences of accidents and incidents involving dams in Brazil until the year 2011. Later it was discussed the concept of risk from the point of view of several authors, as well as the relationship between climate change and dams. It was also shown the importance of internalizing the culture of risk management for an effective dam safety. Given the large number of accidents involving dams and Brazilian standard deficiencies on dam safety, was published the Law nº 12.334/2010 which established the National Dam Safety Policy (PNSB), which represented a major step in the Brazilian legislation regarding the matter. With the direction and guidance provided by ISO 31000, which deals with risk management, it was established a comparison between the proposals and what the standard established by the law. The comparison showed that the Brazilian law is very comprehensive and appropriate to the concept of risk management, leaving its implementation to regulatory agencies that will demand from the legal responsibles effective actions for dam safety.