HSE issues enforcement notices to Gloucester waste site

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) today issued a Prohibition Noticeto Cleansing Service Group Ltd (CSG) in respect of the company's Upper Parting Works at Sandhurst, Gloucester.

The Notice, issued under the Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) Regulations 1999, prohibits the restart of the waste transfer station's business of handling and storing packaged dangerous substances, until the companyhas demonstrated that it can operate safely.

A fire occurred on 30 October 2000 at CSG's site at Sandhurst, Gloucester, a waste treatment site and transfer station. The site islocated on the banks of the River Severn and was subsequently subject to flooding.

The site is currently not operating as the Environment Agency has suspended the waste management licence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, until the operator undertakes specified actions. The notices specify further improvements that will have to be made, in addition to those required under the Notice of suspension, before operations at the site can recommence.

The Notice was issued by HSE on behalf of the 'competent authority' responsible for enforcing the COMAH Regulations in England and Wales,which comprises HSE and the Environment Agency.

At the same time, HSE issued two Improvement Notices, one each under the Health and Safety At Work etc. Act 1974 and the COMAH Regulations. These require the company, by 12 May 2001, to:

- take appropriate action to ensure the health of workers whomight be exposed to radioactive substances; and

- have suitable and sufficient arrangements for planning foremergencies.

The COMAH Regulations are aimed at preventing major industrial accidents involving dangerous substances and limiting the consequences to people and the environment from incidents which do occur. The Regulations are enforced by a 'competent authority' consisting of HSEand the Environment Agency for England and Wales or HSE and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), as appropriate.

The COMAH Regulations apply at two levels, depending on the inventory of dangerous substances, with 'lower tier' sites, such as Sandhurst, being required to take all necessary measures to prevent major accidents and to prepare a major accident prevention policy.
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