Emergency Plans - COMAH

CONTROL OF MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARDS (COMAH) Emergency Plans

These plans are written and revised in accordance with the provision of the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH) which came into force with effect from 1 April 1999.

COMAH implements the Council Directive 96/82/EC. This is often referred to as the Seveso II Directive.

The aim of the COMAH Regulations 1999 is to prevent major accidents involving dangerous substances and to limit the consequences to people and the environment of any accidents that do occur.

The Regulations are enforced by a joint Competent Authority (CA) comprising of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Environment Agency (EA) in England and Wales.

Regulation 10 (1) of the COMAH Regulations 1999 require the Local Authority to prepare and keep up-to-date Off-Site Emergency Plans for top tier COMAH sites in their area of jurisdiction. In compliance with Regulation 2 (1) of the same regulations, this duty is placed on the Tyne and Wear Fire and Civil Defence Authority. The content of such plans shall be adequate for meeting the requirements of objectives outlined in Part 1 of Schedule 5 and contain the details specified in Part 3 of the same Schedule.

It is the duty of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority to prepare and keep up to date this off-site emergency plan. This duty is discharged via the Tyne and Wear Emergency Planning Unit.

For more information: www.hse.gov.uk/comah