Inserção das instituições públicas de saúde de Betim na gestão dos riscos de acidentes industriais ampliados na área da refinaria Gabriel Passos - Petrobrás

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the insertion of the public health institutions from the city of Betim in the preparation and response to amplified industrial accidents, resulted from the process of refinement, storage and distribution of petroleum and its derivatives occured at the area of Refinaria Gabriel Passos Petrobras. The Case Study was chosen as a research strategy on a qualitative approach. The data colection was accomplished through documentary research, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. It was accomplished 20 interviews involving representatives of companies in the area of REGAP, the city's Civil Defense, the Fire Department, the State Foundation of the Environment, and the public health institutions of Betim. Through data triangulation, three empiric categories emerged: the view of risk, intersectoriality, and the emergency plan. The analysis and interpretation of data pointed to a different view of risk, demonstrating that the representatives of public health institutions of Betim do not know the risks resulted from the industrial activities in the REGAP area. All interviewed persons consider the intersectorial articulation to be essential, revealing the need of a joint process in the preparation and response to the accidents, however, the intersectoriality experience still occurs in a punctual way and the Plan of Mutual Help Betim/Ibirité presents itself as a mediator for the development of intersectorial actions. The emergency plan of the health sector was considered an important instrument to minimize the damage caused by an industrial accident, however, data shows that the health sector was not the focus of risk communication of companies, being the Civil Defense and the Fire Department legitimately recognized as active organs of intervention and mitigation actions. The study revealed a structural vulnerability in the city's health politicies concerning the industrial process. Betim's health institutions demonstrated how much they are unprepared to face industrial accidents, and incapacitated of a technical response and adequate policy. Despite the pattern of organization and occupation of the urban territory and the existent risks, there is not a solid emergency policy to contemporize the damage that might occur. Therefore, the insertion of health institutions in the preparation and response to amplified industrial accidents is still insipient.