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Views sought on societal risk

HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE News Release (E012:07) issued by The Government News Network on 2 April 2007

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today, on behalf of Government, published a consultation document, seeking views on how best to deal with societal risk around non-nuclear major hazard sites.

Societal risk in this context is about the number of people, on-site or living or working in the areas around sites, that could be harmed by a single incident occurring at a site.

The risk of major accidents at such sites is very low. But because the risk cannot be completely eliminated, the planning system is used to exercise control over new development around them. HSE's role in this is to assess the risk levels and, when consulted by planning authorities on planning applications, advise them accordingly.

The Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1999 required the operators of such sites to provide information to HSE about the likely potential effects of a major incident. HSE has used this information to produce initial indications of the level of societal risk around major hazard sites.

A cross-government group was established to consider how this information could be used in relation to the management of major hazard sites and the development of the land around them. The consultation document arises from the work of that group and has been agreed by the Government.

HSE Deputy Chief Executive Justin McCracken said, "Industry and the regulators already work together to ensure that risks are as low as reasonably practicable. The risks to individuals are no higher than they were before and are comparable to those we face in everyday life. However, the public has a right to expect the information arising from the 1999 COMAH Regulations to be used when regulatory decisions are made. The aim is to ensure that societal risk data is used in the management of major hazard sites and by planning authorities when making their decisions. This will enable a balance to be struck between protecting the public on the one hand, and the social and economic growth of the surrounding community and industry on the other."

Mr McCracken went on to say, "Ultimately it is for society as a whole to decide what is an acceptable level of risk around non-nuclear major hazard sites. Modern society has gained much from industrialization, including reliable fuel supplies and a wide range of products we use in everyday life. Society must therefore take a balanced view on how to weigh the risks and benefits of people and major hazard sites co-existing."

"This consultation seeks views from all interested parties, including members of the public. We will take account of responses in our future recommendations to the Government."

The consultation exercise will run until 2 July 2007.

Copies of the document can be downloaded from http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd212.htm

Responses to the consultation should be sent to:

Consultation Administrator
Societal Risk Consultation
Health and Safety Executive
Policy Group
5S.1 Redgrave Court
Merton road
Bootle
Liverpool L20 7HS
Fax: 0151 951 3418 or email: societalrisk.consultation@hse.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to editors

1. Information about HSE's role in Land Use Planning can be found on the HSE website. http://www.hse.gov.uk/landuseplanning/index.htm]

2. HSE is currently also consulting on proposals to change to the advice it gives to planning authorities on land use planning around large-scale petrol storage sites as a result of the explosion and fire at the Buncefield fuel storage Depot in December 2005. Information on the consultation can be found on HSE's website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd211.htm].

3. These proposals apply to non-nuclear hazardous installations subject to the COMAH Regulations. Nuclear installations are subject to their own specific legislation, and societal concerns are taken into account of in the regulation of such sites.

Public enquiries
HSE's InfoLine 0845 3450055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG

HSE information and news releases can be accessed on the Internet http://www.hse.gov.uk/