MEDWAY COUNCIL COMAH OFF-SITE EMERGENCY PLAN ...

ABRIDGED - Medway Council Off-site Emergency Plan – National Grid Grain LNG Ltd.
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
OUTLINE RESPONSIBILITIES
June 2011 Page 39 of 52
Annex A - 2
The Agency has responsibilities for the management and regulation of the water
environment and for controlling industrial pollution and wastes throughout England and
Wales. It does not deal with all aspects of environmental pollution. With regard to air
pollution, it is only responsible for those major industrial processes which are subject to
‘Integrated Pollution Control’ under Part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
1. Aside from the duty to investigate major accidents the Agency has no duty under
the COMAH Regulations to respond to incidents at COMAH establishments.
However, the wider environmental interests of the Agency (i.e. pollution of the
environment) require it to be notified about, assess and if necessary make an
operational response to incidents at such sites. In particular the Agency may act to
protect the public, controlled waters and the wider environment.
2. In the event of a major incident at a COMAH site, the Agency expects to be
informed as soon as possible either by the site operator or the emergency
services on its 24-hour emergency line.
3. On being informed of an incident involving a COMAH establishment the
Agency will:
a) Refer the incident to an Environmental Protection officer for assessment.
b) If appropriate, consult with a Process Industries Regulation specialist
who has knowledge of the site.
c) If the assessment indicates a significant threat to human health, the
environment or property, an operational response may be made to minimize the
impact.
d) Where a major accident has occurred, undertake an investigation in
liaison with HSE.
4. Liaise with Natural England in regard to SSSI and Ramsar sites.
5. Incident Response Standards
The Agency will respond to reports of environmental incidents, which have a
potential to cause harm to the environment or, in specific circumstances, human
health. These might involve pollution of controlled waters, unauthorised disposal
of waste, accidents involving radioactive substances, accidents involving major
industrial processes, flooding, low river flows and drought, fish kills and poaching.
In responding to incidents the Agency will undertake the following activities:
• professionally assess all environmental incidents and decide on the speed
and level of response required;
• attend all incidents involving a significant or potentially significant