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Dangerous Substances - Advisory Committee (ACDS)

To advise the Commission on methods of securing safety by controlling risks to workers and others connected with the manufacture, import, storage, conveyance and the use of dangerous substances and from flammable gas, connected with manufacture, supply, transmission, distribution, installation and use.

The Future of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances (ACDS) - Results of a Stakeholder Survey

Following a review of ACDS last year, HSE has prepared a below the line paper, HSC/5/84 , containing recommendations to HSC concerning the future of the committee, and a summarising the results of the stakeholder survey, for consideration at the HSC meeting on 6 September 2005.

Major Hazards Subcommittee

The Major Hazards Subcommittee is a subcommittee of ACDS. Its remit is to advise ACDS on ways of securing the health and safety of people and protecting the environment from the risks of major accidents arising in the course of manufacture, handling, storage and transport of dangerous substances, including by pipeline. In the implementation into UK law of the European Seveso II Directive on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances, it has concentrated its efforts on those dangerous substances covered by the Directive, e.g. toxic and flammable chemicals, explosives and substances dangerous to the environment, and the requirement for land useplanning policies to be developed to limit the consequences of major accidents.

Gas Safety Subcommittee

The Gas Safety Subcommittee is a subcommittee of ACDS. Its remit is to advise ACDS on all aspects of gas safety, including proposals for new legislation, and for determining a strategy for gas safety awareness/publicity.

A recent fundamental review of the health and safety regime for the installation and use of gas resulted in 47 recommendations, which were accepted by both the HSC and Ministers. To assist with the implementation of these recommendations, the Gas Safety Subcommittee established five working groups. These cover installation and use of gas, transmission and distribution of gas, operative competence, publicity/awareness and research. Work is well advanced on proposals for changes to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 to implement those recommendations requiring regulatory change. It is anticipated that the two consultation documents will be published in Winter 2004 with a view to having the amended regulations in force by the Spring 2005.

Flammable Substances Subcommittee

The Flammable Substances Subcommittee is a subcommittee of ACDS. It advises ACDS on the development/amendment of legislation, ACOP and guidance material and safety control regimes for flammable substances used in the workplace.

Petroleum Working Group

Explosives Subcommittee

The Explosives Subcommittee is a subcommittee of ACDS. Its remit is to advise ACDS on proposals for new legislation on the manufacture and storage of explosives to replace the Explosives Act 1875. In the context of implementing the Seveso II Directive, the Explosives Subcommittee has close links with the Major Hazards Subcommittee.

ACDS Agendas, Papers and Minutes

Agendas Papers Minutes
23 November 2004
   
22 November Open Meeting
 
24 February 2004
 
26 September 2003
 
26 September 2003 - Open Meeting
 
13 February 2003
 
8 October 2002
 
12 June 2002
 
14 February 2002
 
14 February 2002 - Open Meeting
 

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Updated 2011-08-19