Fire risk at waste sites

Environment Agency: Alex ClaxtonDorset Fire and Rescue: Graham Kewley

UNCLASSIFIED

The issue

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2012 – 302 fires247 Regulated sites

2013 – 298 fires248 Regulated sites

The impact of fires

Fires pose a risk to the environment and people:Toxic smoke plumesFirewater run-off Thermal radiation Hazardous waste residuesExplosions and projectiles

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UNCLASSIFIED 4

The impact on the operator

Disruption to operationsClean up costs /

compensationFines and potential

imprisonmentDamage to business

reputationIncreased insurance

premiums

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UNCLASSIFIED 6

UNCLASSIFIED

The legal framework - EA

Operators we regulate have a duty to reduce the risk and impact of accidents including fires.

Penalties can include suspension/loss of permit to operate prosecution with fines or imprisonment.

Discharge (including firewater) to watercourses or groundwater made without a permit/ outside conditions of permit is illegal.

Penalties can include formal warnings, formal caution, prosecution. Also recharge costs for incident response.

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UNCLASSIFIED

The legal framework - FRS

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005Risk based approachLife safety and general fire precautions.Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004Requirement to gather information by inspectionAssist with dealing with incidents and firefighter safety.Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

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UNCLASSIFIED

What you can do to reduce the risk of fires

Assess Fire RiskRisk Assessments

Reduce fire riskPreventDetect/supressContain/mitigate

Produce Accident Plan and Procedures

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UNCLASSIFIED

Working in partnership

Building on successful partnership between EA and FRS

Undertaking joint site visits

Joint incident response training

Waste Industry Code of Practice/Sector specific guidance on preventing/mitigating waste fires.

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UNCLASSIFIED

Summary

Fire Prevention:

Reduces risk to Fire FightersReduces risk to Human HealthPrevents Pollution Protects Businesses

Protects your community

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