NEBOSH Practice Test

Which of the following is a potential consequence of a vapor cloud explosion?

1. Increased Productivity

2. Overpressure

3. Reduced Visibility

4. Environmental Cleanup

The correct answer is: Overpressure

A vapor cloud explosion (VCE) occurs when a cloud of flammable vapor or gas ignites, resulting in a rapid release of energy that creates a pressure wave. The primary consequence of this explosion is overpressure, which manifests as a sudden increase in air pressure that can cause significant damage to structures, injuries to people nearby, and the potential for further explosions. Understanding overpressure is critical in safety management because it can lead to shattered windows, structural failures, and flying debris, posing severe risks to life and property. Therefore, recognizing overpressure as a consequence of a vapor cloud explosion highlights the importance of effective risk assessment and mitigation strategies in industrial settings where flammable vapors may be present. Other options, while they can be associated with industrial accidents, do not specifically capture the immediate and direct consequence of a vapor cloud explosion. Increased productivity is unlikely to be a result of such an event, reduced visibility may occur in general hazardous scenarios but not specifically due to a VCE, and the need for environmental cleanup arises from spills and contamination but is more indirect than the immediate impact of overpressure from an explosion.