FOUR MAJOR ACCIDENTS AT MAJOR HAZARD SITES IN 2000/01

E011:03 - 3 February 2003

There were four major accidents in 2000/01 at industrial premises subject to the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations 1999, according to a new report published today. None of the four accidents resulted in serious or fatal injuries.

'COMAH major accidents notified to the European Commission, England, Wales & Scotland 2000-2001', is published by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the Environment Agency in England and Wales (EA), and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) who together form the Competent Authority, (CA), which enforces the COMAH regulations.

The report describes the four EC Reportable Accidents (ECRAs) that occurred during the period April 2000 and March 2001, and provides a summary of each incident, including their consequences and enforcement action taken by the CA. The report has been published on the Internet, and is in line with the COMAH Regulations for giving greater public access to information relating to major accident hazards. It can also be used to learn lessons from the past and help to prevent accidents in the future. It is the second report to be published following the launch of the series with the report covering 1999/00.

The number of reportable accidents in 2000/01 is similar to the average number for recent years. Whilst recognising that it is difficult to draw conclusions from such a small sample, these can be used as a crude measure of safety performance. There is concern at the magnitude and frequency of these accidents and at the repeated underlying causes of major accidents. HSE, EA and SEPA. will continue to use the regulations to improve corporate governance of major hazard sites.

The COMAH regulations require the CA to notify the European Commission (EC) of certain major accidents. The criteria include: the release of a specified quantity of a dangerous substance; specified harm to persons (such as a death); specified harm to the environment (such as significant damage to more than 10km (6 miles) of river) or in some circumstances a 'near miss' of particular technical interest. The EC then uses the data to inform its decisions on future changes to legislation regarding major accident hazards.

The COMAH Regulations 1999 apply to approximately 1,100 establishments that have the potential to cause major accidents because they use, or store, significant quantities of dangerous substances, such as oil products, natural gas, chemicals and explosives. The general duty of the regulations is that: 'Every operator shall take all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and limit their consequences to persons and the environment'.

Notes to editors

1. In April 1999 the COMAH regulations came into force in England, Wales and Scotland, replacing the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards (CIMAH) regulations that had been in place since 1984. A Competent Authority (CA), comprising HSE working jointly with the EA and SEPA implements the COMAH regulations. This arrangement reflects the requirements to ensure the protection of both persons and the environment.

2. The COMAH Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999 No.743) impose requirements for the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances. The Regulations implement Council Directive 96/82/EC (known as the Seveso II Directive) which was implemented in the UK in April 1999. They apply to establishments where dangerous substances are present in quantities equal to or exceeding scheduled quantities.

3. A major accident is defined as an occurrence (including in particular, a major emission, fire or explosion) resulting from uncontrolled developments in the course of the operation of any establishment and leading to serious danger to human health or the environment, immediate or delayed, inside or outside an establishment, and involving at least one dangerous substance. Where a major accident meets the criteria in Schedule 7 of COMAH then it is reportable to the European Commission.

4. A two-page fact sheet is being published in conjunction with the report and copies will be available from HSE, EA and SEPA regional offices.

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