Emergency management and Risk assessment in the Aerospace sector: an operational model for workplace safety

Safety in the workplace is an indispensable element for the protection of workers' health and for the smooth running of production activities. Effective safety management not only prevents accidents and occupational illnesses, but also ensures operational continuity, protecting both personnel and production facilities. In highly specialised environments such as the aerospace sector, where activities involve processes of high technological and operational complexity, risk assessment and emergency planning assume a particularly crucial role. This thesis aims to outline emergency management procedures starting from the risk assessment carried out, applying the principles of occupational safety to a model aerospace company specialising in the production of nano and microsatellites. The work is divided into four macro-sections: a first part dedicated to the general principles of safety and the definition of the key figures responsible for managing company safety; a second section focusing on the applicable legal and regulatory references; a third part focusing on the analysis of the specific risks of the aerospace sector, distinguished by work environment, equipment and work activities; and finally a concluding section that sets out the emergency procedures designed to mitigate the impacts of critical situations. The idea of dealing with this particular field of study stems from an internship experience during my second year of my master’s degree, in the field of occupational safety, during which I had the opportunity to work alongside the figure of the HSE manager (Health, Safety and Environment Manager) within an aerospace company. This path allowed me to closely observe the issues related to safety management in a production context characterised by high-precision machining, the handling of sensitive materials, the use of hazardous substances and the presence of specific risk environments, thus providing the basis for the development of this thesis. Through the adoption of risk assessment methodologies and a detailed analysis of possible emergencies, the work intends to offer a reference model for companies in the aerospace sector, capable of integrating and updating prevention and response strategies. A distinctive aspect of this study is the focus on the management of emergencies in particular environments, where the traditional hierarchy of immediate exodus in emergency conditions is modified. In particular, the clean room requires an unconventional approach, given its inherent complexity and the specific activities performed within it. In addition to analysing standard emergency procedures, this thesis explores the operational measures dedicated to such critical environments. The approach adopted aims not only to reduce risks and improve responsiveness in the event of an emergency, but also to promote an integrated and conscious safety culture, in line with best practices and current regulations. The proposed operational model is configured as a tool that can be replicated and adapted to similar contexts, providing concrete support to the design and management of safety in aerospace companies and contributing to the definition of effective and customised emergency procedures.