A National Population Data Base for Major Accident Hazard Modelling

In order to undertake the modelling of major accident hazard events the HSE needs to estimate the
numbers of people potentially at risk from such events, particularly when societal rather than individual
risk is of concern. To-date, however, the data used on the spatial distribution of populations at risk has
been highly generalised. This project has developed a sophisticated methodology for producing a
national population database, drawing on multiple data sets and including populations located within
residential, workplace, retail, transport and leisure land uses and within communal establishments
involving particularly sensitive populations (such as schools and hospitals). The final database has a
greater coverage of population types and a better level of spatial resolution than any others that
currently exist. It has a flexible and user-friendly interface, which provides for many different potential
uses by HSE and other Government Bodies and Departments.