Board responses
18 Sept 2007 – Buncefield Investigation Board response to COMAH Competent Authority (CA) consultation on ’Containment of bulk hazardous liquids at COMAH Establishments’
The Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board has today issued its response to the consultation issued by the COMAH Competent Authority (CA) on ‘Containment of bulk hazardous liquids at COMAH Establishments’.
In response to Buncefield and other incidents, the COMAH Competent Authority has developed a ‘Containment Policy’ to set out the key principles relating to the bulk storage of hazardous liquids. The policy describes measures to improve the protection of people and the environment, both on and off-site, as well as the safeguarding the supply of fuels and chemicals to the country as a whole.
Read the Board’s response [PDF 60kb]4 July 2007 – Buncefield Investigation Board response to HSE consultative document CD212 – ‘Proposals for revised policies to address societal risk around onshore non-nuclear major hazard installations’
The Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board has issued its response to the consultative document CD 212, issued by HSE in April 2007. This document discusses proposals for revised policies to address societal risk around onshore non-nuclear major hazard sites.
In grappling with the many issues thrown up by the major incident at Buncefield in December 2005, the Board has often been faced with the question of why the planning system in the round does not address the total population at risk from a major hazard site.
Consideration of the complex issues surrounding Societal Risk goes back a long way, however, this is the first occasion of which the Board is aware that a document has focused exclusively on societal risk and sought public views. The Board therefore welcomes the publication of this Consultation Document, and is keen that the process of development and public consultation continues.
Read the Board's full reponse to CD212 [PDF 90kb]
31 May 2007 – Buncefield Investigation Board response to HSE consultative document CD211 – 'Proposals for revised policies for HSE advice on development control around large-scale petrol storage sites'
The Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board has responded to the consultative document CD211, issued by HSE in February 2007, on the subject of HSE advice on development control around large-scale petrol storage sites.
The Board recognised at the outset of its work that Land Use Planning (LUP) was going to be one of the most complex and sensitive issues raised by the Buncefield incident. In the immediate aftermath of the explosion there were calls for a complete development moratorium in wide swathes around this and similar sites. While such a reaction was entirely understandable in the circumstances, the Board felt it was also necessary to consider the possible social and economic consequences of such a restriction, and to seek to strike an appropriate balance between the risks and benefits of development.
At the time of publishing its third progress report in May 2006 the Board asked HSE to review as a matter of urgency the basis and standard of the advice it provides to planning authorities. The Board appreciates HSE’s response and the effort it has made in developing this Consultative Document.
