Background information

• Evidence or Otherwise of Scale Aversion: Public Reactions to Major Disasters
  

  This report sets out the findings of work undertaken by Environmental Resources Management (ERM) that aims to support the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the wider consideration of the measurement and 'control'of societal risk.

• Introducing Accountability of Societal Risk from Major Hazard Sites into the Spatial Planning System
  

  This report explores means by which HSE can best influence the planning policy process and how practically this could be achieved. The report concludes that HSE should provide overarching guidance to Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) on how to deal with Major Hazard Sites as part of the spatial planning process.

• Societal risk and the consideration of technical and policy issues
  A public consultation exercise on proposals for the use of Societal Risk to address risks from Major Hazards around Top Tier COMAH sites (CD 212) was undertaken in 2007. Arising from the consultation, and other contributions, a list of 23 areas of technical and policy matters was compiled. This is a summary of HSE's consideration of these issues and how they will be taken into societal risk assessment.
• An independent review of HSE methodology for assessing societal risk
  In 2005, the Interdepartmental Task Group on Societal Risk requested an independent review of HSE's methodology for assessing societal risk. The Institute of Chemical Engineers were commissioned to carry out the review which they completed in January 2006. Since then, the public consultation (CD212) has been carried out and in 2008 ministers agreed for HSE to work with others to include the assessment of societal risk in both the regulation of on-shore major hazard installations and in decisions on planning for development near such installations. It is now appropriate (April 2009) that this review and HSE's response to it are made available along with other relevant reports.
• HSE response to the IChemE report 'An independent review of HSE methodology for assessing societal risk'
• RR703 - Societal Risk: Initial briefing to Societal Risk Technical Advisory Group
  In 2008 HSE set up the Societal Risk Technical Advisory Group, a small group of technical experts from industry, academia, safety profession and fellow government departments to advise and provide a challenge function on the development of societal risk methodologies, criteria and mechanism by which it is delivered. A report produced as part of a briefing package has been made available as an HSE research report RR703. The report cannot be considered a comprehensive statement of HSE operational policy or technical positions, but it summarises key points and issues that provided a common baseline of understanding for members of the advisory group.
• Consultation on societal risk around major hazard installations
  HSE believe that the issue of societal risk around onshore non-nuclear major hazard installations is one that justifies public consultation. We are inviting those who could be affected to help us develop policy in this area.
• HSE's response to the Mayor of London
  HSE's Deputy Chief Executive, Justin McCracken, responds to Ken Livingstone's claim that HSE's proposals for new risk assessments will restrict homebuilding and harm employment.
• Societal Risk, On-Shore, Non-nuclear, Major Hazards Technical Seminar - 30th April 2009 HSL Buxton Laboratory.
  A one day seminar for 80 delegates was run at the HSL laboratory, Buxton, on 30th April 2009. The programme and presentations are available for viewing.