Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH)

The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999, require employers and operators of certain sites to put in place emergency plans (both onsite and offsite); risk assessments of potential emergencies and training for personnel in procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.

The requirement to comply with the regulations depends on whether or not the site contains substances and/or processes that are mentioned in Schedule 1 of the regulations. There are two threshold quantities:

• Establishments with quantities equal to or greater than the upper threshold are known as "top-tier" establishments, and
• Establishments with lower quantities, but which are equal to or greater than the lower threshold, are known as "lower-tier" establishments.

Duties of "lower-tier" operators

• Operators must notify the competent authority (HSE and the EPA/SEPA) and provide details of the substances that are held and/or processed onsite.
• Take all necessary measures to prevent major accidents.
• Report major accidents to the competent authority.
• Prepare a "Major Accident Prevention Policy" (MAPP), which should include: organisational structure; competence; roles and responsibilities; procedures; risk assessments; and review.

Duties of "top-tier" operators

In addition to the duties mentioned above, "top-tier" operators have the following additional requirements:

• Consult with appropriate external bodies during emergency planning.
• Preparation of a safety report.
• Sharing information with members of the public, especially the local community.
• Testing of both onsite and offsite emergency plans.

With over 20 years of experience in emergency management, command and control and disaster planning, NGT Safety Management can help your organisation with the following:

• Development of safety reports.
• Development of onsite and offsite emergency plans.
• Development of MAPP
• Testing of emergency plans.
• Development of exercises, including scenario development, role play, facilitation and debrief.
• Training of personnel in relation to emergency procedures.

If you would like more details of emergency planning and disaster management, please contact us.