New COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) rules become effective in April 2010

7 February 2010 by Jim Bennett

In 2008 the COMAH Competent Authority (CA) initiated a fundamental review of its approach to regulating onshore major hazards in the UK – the CA has remodelled its key regulatory processes, and will implement a series of changes in April 2010.

Improvements include a better national coordination of the CA’s priorities, improving performance monitoring against existing, and emerging new priorities, and ensuring that the CA continues to focus on the right issues.

The Competent Authority comprises three organisations: the Health Safety Executive (HSE), the Environment Agency (EA – for England and Wales) and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). These three organisations are responsible for the enforcement of the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations.

The Competent Authority Strategic Management Group (CASMG) will meet quarterly, setting a strategic direction and plan of work for the CA s a whole. It will be responsible for reporting back publicly on progress both in the UK and to the European Union.

For more information – click here 

In Scotland we are reviewing our regulatory environment as described in the “Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill: Consultation Paper” 
The principle is to facilitate moving from an ‘enforcement model to and enabling environment’. – Please forward comments to the Branch Secretary.

SIFE and BAFSA Fire Sprinkler Seminar 20.01.10 Report

24 January 2010 by Jim Bennett

The well attended seminar, sponsored by FM Global, had a good representation from both private and public sectors. The delegates were given a warm welcome by Martyn Wade, CEO, National Library of Scotland. He encouraged the delegates to return “to the treasure trove of knowledge within the library at a later time.”

The Scottish Minister for Community Safety, Fergus Ewing, MSP gave a ministerial address. His theme was about a partnership approach to ‘A Safer Scotland’. “It’s a journey we’ve embarked on where everyone has a role to play. The Scottish Government are committed to implementing the recommendations of The Scotland Together Report, headed up by Fire Chief Brian Sweeney, which includes fire sprinklers for ‘at risk’  households.”

Alan Brinson, Executive Director, European Fire Sprinkler Network presented “European Progress with Fire Sprinklers.”  (click here to download presentation)

Bill Stewart, International President of the Institution of Fire Engineers and Fire Chief of Toronto Fire Services presentation was “Is it Time to Move to the Next Level of Fire Protection, – Residential Fire Sprinklers?”

(click for presentation)

Steve Turek, Assistant Commissioner London Fire Brigade, talked on “The Challenge of Fire Protection and the London Olympics.” (presentation)

Nick Groos, Chairman International Fire Sprinkler Association, discussed “Just What Exactly is a Residential Sprinkler Anyway?” (presentation)

Ian Gough, Technical Advisor, BAFSA gave an overview of “The Changing Nature of Fire Risks in Car Parks.” (presentation)

Andy Mattock, National Fire Safety Manager, B&Q plc gave a pragmatic presentation on “A Retailer’s Tale” (presentation )

Allan MacPherson,  Chief Engineering Technical Specialist, FM Global explores “Sprinklers Evolved.”  (presentation)

 Bill Jackson, Head of Estates, National Library of Scotland shared a Case Study of “Protecting the Nation’s Heritage.”  (presentation)

Guidance on Testing and Exercising Business Continuity

28 December 2009 by Jim Bennett

The below link will give access to the BSI Published Document (PD 25666:2009) and relates to guidance on testing and exercising business continuity, emergency planning and general contingency arrangements. Although Information Technology is specifically mentioned, it is intended that the guidance can be used by any agency to test and validate their suite of plans. The document has been designed to aid the delivery of cost effective and efficient testing of all exercising formats and includes the following:

•  A full glossary
• Exercise programme management
• Initiating testing and exercising programmes
• The different types of exercises
• Preparing to test and exercise
• Advice on conducting exercises
• Exercise debriefing
• Exercise roles and responsibilities
• A future full bibliography

 Consultation link

Testing and exercising is a critical area in all emergency management and business continuity arrangements and forms essential components of the profession. It is advisable that this document is read alongside other guidance that relates to testing and validation planning arrangements, some of which can be found at:

Guidance on Training Exercises   

and Planner’s Guide

SIFE will prepare and provide a submission on any comments on PD25666:2009 made by members. Please respond by 15^th February 2010.

An Operational Framework for Resilience

by Jim Bennett

An Operational Framework for Resilience, Jerome H. Kahan, Andrew C. Allen, Justin K. George

Abstract
There is growing interest in the subject of resilience on the part of President Obama’s Administration, as well as lively discussion regarding this issue in academic, business, and governmental circles. This article offers an operational framework that can prove useful to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and stakeholders at all levels, both public and private, as a basis for incorporating resilience into our infrastructure and society in order to make the nation safer.

Three interrelated, mutually reinforcing objectives or end-states shape the approach to resilience: resistance, absorption, and restoration. If these objectives are realized as part of applying practical programs to critical systems and key functions, then these systems and functions will reflect resilience features appropriate to their individual needs.

Click here for more information

ICL Disaster Report Update

1 October 2009 by Jim Bennett

Update from   Yvette Cooper (Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions; Pontefract & Castleford, Labour)

On 16 August I announced the publication of Lord Gill’s report into the causes of the tragic factory explosion at ICL Plastics Ltd in Glasgow on 11 May 2004. At the same time I asked the Chair of the HSE and its board to consider the report’s findings and to report back to me on progress by the end of September, addressing both Lord Gill’s criticisms of its actions since the explosion and how the report’s recommendations could be taken forward. I said that I would report back to Parliament on progress in the autumn.

The HSE has now responded to me. I have placed a copy of its response in the Libraries of both Houses and it is also available on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/lpg.htm .

In the response the HSE chair acknowledges that, while primary responsibility for the tragic accident rested with the site user, there were failings within HSE which need to be addressed. The chair also reiterates the apologies that both she and the chief executive of HSE made for these failings both during and after Lord Gill’s inquiry, and explains the steps that have already been taken since the accident.

HSE has worked closely with members of UKLPG, the trade association of the liquefied petroleum gas industry, to develop plans for the replacement of buried metal pipework with polyethylene pipes, which do not carry the risk of corrosion. It has been agreed that the replacement programme will include domestic sites, which goes beyond Lord Gill’s recommendations. The programme, which is scheduled to be completed by 2015, will be prioritised using an established risk model to ensure that sites identified as high risk are dealt with first. In parallel with this, HSE is also preparing an inspection campaign with local authorities focusing on sites identified as high risk, and is working with the industry to review and update user guidance materials and codes of practice for suppliers and installers.

The HSE also launched a two-stage consultation to address those recommendations of the Gill report where action is not already underway. The initial stage of the consultation seeks views from interested stakeholders in the LPG industry, the wider business community, and those with an interest in health and safety, and will run until 19 November. I hope hon. Members will take the opportunity to feed their views into this.

Following completion of this initial stage, the Government will in the new year publish the full response to Lord Gill’s report. This will include firm proposals for action which will form the basis of the second stage of the consultation, supported by a formal impact assessment

Managing Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Risks

27 August 2009 by Jim Bennett

Business Protection Seminar –
Managing Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear risks
8 October, 2009, Leicester Square, London 8:30 am – 11:00 am

For more information please click here