Control of major accidents hazards - COMAH

Some companies, because of the nature and quantity of chemicals manufactured, stored or handled are required by law to distribute information to residents living in the immediate vicinity of their site. This is done at least every five years. Such sites are governed by the The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 and the area around the site where residents are sent Safety and Emergency information is called the Public Information Zone or PIZ.

 

This requirement applies to the following site on the Wokingham/Reading border.

 

Reading Gas Works, Kenavon Drive, Reading

 

These locations are known as top tier COMAH sites and are operated within The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999. The enforcing bodies for these sites are the Health and Safety Executive - HSE and the Environment Agency - EA who inspect and monitor these facilities, and ensure that the risks from the site are reduced to levels that are as low as are reasonably practicable. 

 

Regulation 10 - 1 of the COMAH Regulations 1999 requires the Local Authority to co-ordinate the preparation of a multi agency Off-Site Emergency Plan for all top tier COMAH sites in their area of jurisdiction. The Health and Safety Executive set several zones around the site to allow the local authority and other agencies such as Police and Fire, to plan for the emergencies that could occur on the site, but that could effect areas off the site. One of these zones set by the Health and Safety Executive is called the Public Information zone - PIZ.

 

If you live in the immediate vicinity - PIZ - of any of the above sites you should have received a letter telling you about Safety and Emergency advice. It is important to make sure that you and all occupants of your property understand the information and advice and know what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency at the site.

 

The site listed above strives to ensure that all households within the PIZ are sent Safety and Emergency advice information. If you have not received any information through the post and you live very close to the site, you should contact Southern Gas Networks the relevant company and ask for a copy of their Safety and Emergency advice for residents living within the Public Information Zone.