Use of the FMEA method in the identification and analysis of environmental impacts caused by fuel stations: a case study.

Abstract

The retail of fuel is one of the activities that generates  significant impacts on the environment. In this sense, this study aims to identify and analyze the potential environmental impacts caused by the activities carried out by a fuel station in the light of the method Failure Analysis  and its Effects (FMEA). It was used as a theoretical basis the model proposed by Vandenbrande FMEA (1998). Regarding the methodology, the research is classified as exploratory and descriptive, using the case study method. To this end, we collected primary and secondary data, the primary were obtained through semi-structured interviews with the owner, manager, attendants, vendors and cookers of the restaurant, and on-site observation. As for the secondary data were obtained through reports, articles, environmental  permits, among others. As a result of impact was identified as the high risk of human exposure, medium risk of contamination of soil and water and fire, and the low risk of waste, it is concluded therefore that the use of the FMEA method contributes for the  constant evaluation of environmental risk and the adoption of mitigation actions, which will lead the organization to improve its processes and monitoring of such improvements by measuring the levels of criticality.