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News Release from: HSE Health and Safety Executive | Subject: Feedback from Buncefield Safety Alert
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 14 June 2006
HSE feedback from Buncefield Safety
Alert
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the initial feedback from the safety alert it issued to operators of fuel storage depots in February 2006.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the initial feedback from the safety alert it issued to operators of fuel storage depots in February 2006 The full report is available on the HSE website
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 1 Jul 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The initial findings from HSE's safety alert show a generally good level of compliance with current standards at facilities similar to Buncefield, although the Environment Agency has started to identify some deficiencies in bunding and environmental awareness through its separate inspection activity.
There were, however, five instances where compliance levels were not to the appropriate standard, and where direct action has been taken by industry and the COMAH Competent Authority (CA) to address this.
The review also recognised aspects of current industry and HSE guidance that could be strengthened.
As a result, HSE is reviewing the guidance with representatives across industry, with a view to providing further clarity as soon as possible, and revised published guidance by mid-2007.
HSE will consider the Safety Alert findings and the contents of the Buncefield Investigation's initial report, expected in July, and will use the information it learns from both to determine what future measures need to be taken to improve safety even further.
This is being done in consultation with a Task Group that has been established with relevant industry representatives at HSE's request.
The Task Group is made up of key industry trade association representatives as well as the CA, who will provide appropriate regulatory oversight and direction.
HSE will manage this important programme with an aim to ensure further enhanced safety standards are implemented to further improve major accident prevention as soon as possible.
As a separate strand of the work, the Buncefield incident will also have implications for the advice HSE provides to planning authorities.
HSE should be in a position to issue revised Land Use Planning policy later this year.
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