To help prevent major public and environmental accidents, some premises are required by law to produce emergency plans to mitigate on site accidents.
The legislation is called the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 and the premises it relates to are known as COMAH sites.
Sites affected are based on the nature of substances that the premises produce, use or store and there are two tiers of site, depending on the quantities of substances held.
‘Upper Tier’ sites must produce an emergency plan to mitigate on site accidents and also comply with various other health, safety and environmental regulations to ensure risks to people and the environment are very low.
Depending on the nature of the substances on the site, upper tier COMAH sites have a duty to provide information to the public who live or work within an area known as a ‘public information zone’. The size of these zones is designated by the Health and Safety Executive and the information provided to the public in these zones include the hazards on-site, risks to people and the environment and what action the public should take if they are notified that an accident has occurred.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (SYFR) is the local authority responsible for COMAH sites in South Yorkshire, which means we have the responsibility for preparing, reviewing, testing and exercising external emergency plans for upper tier sites. These plans are designed to formulate a response and mitigate off-site impacts of a major accident.
As part of the reviewing process we must consult the public when preparing an external emergency plan. These plans contain the hazards of the site, the impacts a major accident may have on the public and environment and what response from the emergency services and other organisations will be required.
During 2023 we are reviewing three COMAH External Emergency plans:
- Marcegaglia ASR Rod Mill
- Victrex Manufacturing Ltd
- BOC Ltd Brinsworth
If you have any questions or comments about any of these plans please email rpac@syfire.gov.uk
There are seven upper tier COMAH sites in South Yorkshire:
BOC Ltd, Brinsworth, Rotherham, S60 5NT
Due to the legislation amendments in 2015, BOC Brinsworth is now classed as an Upper Tier COMAH Site. The main activity of this site is the production of gaseous oxygen through the method of air separation. The main hazard is an uncontrolled release of gas which results in fire and/or explosion. Those most at risk would be the people on site and in the immediate area.
The BOC Brinsworth site has been in existence for many years and the activities on site have not changed significantly. The Upper Tier status has been brought about by the change in legislation.
DHL Supply Chain, Tickhill, Doncaster, DN11 9HE
The site’s main activity is the storage and distribution of a wide range of healthcare and household care products for a number of different suppliers and customers. This includes the storage of large quantities of aerosols containing highly flammable LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). The main hazard at the site would be from a fire involving large quantities of packed aerosol stock. Those at most risk are considered to be persons within the site boundary and a small risk to the environment due to fire water runoff.
Marcegaglia – ASR Rod Mill, Sheffield, S9 3XG
This site was previously called and known as Outokumpu ASR Rod Mill.
The main activity is the production of various grades of stainless steel rod and bar. To do this chemicals are used at various strengths and combinations within the production process. The main hazard at the site is loss of containment of chemicals that would pose an immediate risk to those at the site and chemicals entering watercourses or sewer systems.
Scottish Power, Hatfield, Doncaster, DN7 6TE
The site is composed of a natural gas field with three wellheads and a compressor/extractor facility which flows gas into the wells from the National Transmission System and extracts it from the wells using a high pressure gas compressor. The principal hazard arises from an uncontrolled gas release of a pipeline, which would probably result in a fire, due to friction with sides of the breach. Those at risk would be persons in the immediate area and the surrounding environment.
Victrex Manufacturing Ltd, Rotherham, S61 4QH
The main activities at this site are in the production of chemicals for further manufacturing and processing to make polymers which end up as components or applications across the automotive, aerospace, energy, medical and electronics industries. The main hazard at this site is toxic gas release which would dissipate off-site. Those at most risk are considered to be people within the site boundary and immediate off-site areas. The site currently provides information to those living or working within the site’s Public Information Zone.
Great Bear Distributions Ltd, Hellaby Estate, Rotherham, S66 8HN
This site was previously called and known as Culina Ambient Ltd.
This site provides third party logistics support to client companies. It stores mainly toiletries, hair and beauty products in the form of aerosols. The main hazard at the site would be a fire involving the large quantities of packed aerosol stock. Those at most risk are considered to be persons and property within the site boundary and a small risk to those in the immediate area of the site. There may also be a risk to the environment due to fire water runoff.
DHL Supply Chain, Trax Park, Doncaster, DN4 5PD
This site provides third party logistics to Unilever. It stores toiletries, beauty products and aerosols. The main hazard at the site would be from a fire involving large quantities of packed aerosol stock. Those at most risk are considered to be persons and property within the site boundary and a small risk to those in the immediate area of the site. There may also be a risk to the environment due to fire water runoff.