Two substantial new guidance documents have been published by the HSE in connection with the new Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations. “Preparing Safety Reports” and “Emergency Planning for Major Accidents” give a detailed explanation on how to draw up safety reports and how to prepare and implement emergency plans. The Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency together with the HSE form the competent authority for the COMAH Regulations which take a holistic approach to the protection of people and the environment from the effects of major accidents. These documents have also been produced in co-operation with stakeholders, including representatives of industry, the unions, local authorities, the emergency services and the public health sector. Site operators will find “Preparing Safety Reports” useful as it gives practical and comprehensive guidance on the preparation of a COMAH safety report, required to be sent to the regulators from February 2000. “Emergency Planning for Major Accidents” is of interest to those involved in planning for a major accident and those who may have to respond to them including operators, emergency services and local authorities. The most significant changes in the emergency planning aspects of these new Regulations in comparison to the previous Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards 1984 (CIMAH), are the requirements for restoration and clean-up if a major accident occurs.
(HSE, August 1999)
