Good progress has been made in implementing the recommendations from the Major Incident Investigation Board (MIIB), says the UK government in a statement published late last week.

As a result of the MIIB's work, many steps have already been taken in securing improvements at fuel storage depots and a range of actions implemented to prevent a similar incident happening again. Progress has also been made in enhancing planning for emergencies and the effectiveness of the response to emergencies at major hazard sites. There has also been careful planning to maintain the resilience of the UK's fuel supply.

Lord McKenzie, DWP Minister responsible for Health and Safety said:
"I am very grateful to Lord Newton of Braintree and his Board for their very thorough and extensive work which will lead to improved safety, environmental protection and resilience at and around major hazard sites.

"Overall, I can report that good progress has been made against the recommendations contained in the reports. The government, the Competent Authority, industry through the Buncefield Standards Task Group and others subject to the recommendations, have responded promptly.

"They have set in train a programme of work which will ensure real improvements in the prevention of major incidents and, should major incidents occur, that effective plans are in place to respond and recover in the best way possible."

Lord Newton's Board has produced four substantive reports stating findings and recommendations (together with a further four progress reports). The Government has now responded to two of the substantive reports, concerning the 'Design and operation of fuel storage sites' and 'Emergency preparedness for, response to and recovery from incidents'.

The recommendations in these two reports are aimed mainly at site operators and the Competent Authority, but there are also recommendations for a number of government departments on emergency preparedness.

With regard to the remaining two substantive reports, one – ‘The explosion mechanism advisory group report’ - is being progressed by a specialist group of regulators, academics, and industry representatives.

The other – ‘Recommendations on land use planning and the control of societal risk around major hazard sites’ - was published on 15 July 2008.

Government consideration will be led by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who will respond substantively in due course once the recommendations have been fully considered.

Click here to read the response document (PDF)

•Date: 17th Nov 2008• Region: /UK •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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