Dangerous Substance Control Ltd - Assistance with COMAH

Dangerous Substance Control Ltd, is well established in providing help and assistance to industry where assistance is needed with ensuring compliance with Dangerous Substance Explosive Atmosphere Regulation legislation

What many are unaware of is the DSC-Ltd also provide similar support for COMAH (Control of Major Accidents and Hazards)
As a COMAH site operator - (Read More) defined by the use and storage of dangerous substances above specified quantities - you must as part of the compliance procedure ensure that you have to taken all necessary measures to :

• Prevent major accidents;

and

• In the event of such accidents, limit the effects on people and the environment.

by ensuring they :

• Comply with the requirements of their Competent Authorities(CA)
• Operate under a valid Hazardous Substance Consent license
• Liaise with all Emergency Services and respective Agencies.
• Fire,
• Police,
• Hospitals
• Environment Agency
• Health and Safety Executive
• Create and operate an effective MAPP (major accident prevention policy)
• Take all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and incidents, limiting their consequences to persons and the environment.

The main aim of the COMAH Regulations is to prevent and mitigate the effects of major accidents involving dangerous substances on major hazard sites (sites that manufacture, process or store dangerous chemicals and substances in quantities that pose a risk to workers, persons in the immediate vicinity and the environment).
‘Major accidents’ include fires, explosions or incidents in which dangerous substances are released. It is fortunate that major accidents are rare, that said they can and do occur at site’s ranging from large petrochemical plants to chemical storage warehouses.
This Is the general duty on all operators and underpins the whole of the Regulations. It is a high standard which applies to all establishments within the scope of the Regulations.
The 2005 Amendment Regulations

The main effect of the COMAH (Amendment) Regulations is to broaden the scope COMAH through changes to Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 1.
A summary of the changes are on the HSE website http://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/background/comah99.htm together with information about timescales for compliance.

Who is affected?
Mainly the chemical industry, but also petroleum storage activities, explosives and nuclear sites and other industries, where threshold quantities of dangerous substances identified in the Regulations are kept or used. i.e. Retail Warehousing where specific changes to now include for the first time aerosol expellants in the Tier 1 and 2 threshold calculation - as defined by Seveso III. Directive (due 1st June 2015 “new COMAH Regulations”).
Sites, with particularly high quantities of dangerous substances, operators must also describe their control measures to prevent major accidents in a ‘safety report’.

Dangerous Substance Control Ltd - What We Can Do For You

• Provide practical advice and guidance.
• Determine if the Regulations apply to you
• For Low Tier Sites - Notify basic details to the CA
• Where appropriate liaison and provide representation between you the site operators and the competent authorities.
• Help you take all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and limit their consequences to people and the environment
• Prepare a major accident prevention policy or (MAPP).
• Test your onsite emergency plans and provide constructive feedback and recommendations to ensure compliance.
• Assist your organization prepare to meet compliance with the forthcoming Seveso III Directive (due 1st June 2015 “new COMAH Regulations”).

If you have a requirement or need assistance to ensure you are compliant then please visit our website at: http://www.dsc-ltd.co.uk

for more assistance or contact us direct either by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on by phone at 01922 402647.