The Control Of Major Accident Hazard regulations 1999 (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 COMAH Regulations 1999 and the area around the site where residents are sent Safety and Emergency information is called the Public Information Zone or PIZ.

Within Reading there are two companies that operate "Top Tier COMAH Sites" and operate within the COMAH Regulations 1999 (Control of Major Accident Hazards). The enforcing bodies for such 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". See External links at the bottom of this page.

COMAH Off site Emergency Plans

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 sets 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 affect 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 one of these sites you should have received a letter telling you about Safety and Emergency advice, this letter is called a “Public Information card”. It is important to make sure that you and all occupants of your property understand the information and advice on the Public Information card, and know what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency at the site.

It is the responsibility of the COMAH site operator to issue the public information card, although the local authority assists site operators with this duty. Legally the public information card must be issued every 5 years.

Freedom of information and the COMAH regulations

Each request for information in relation to COMAH Off site Emergency plans has to be considered on its merits and the appropriateness of applying exemptions will depend on the specific request and the nature of the information. Whilst some of the information may be released as it would have no adverse affect on national security, there is a risk of an adverse effect to national security or public safety from releasing certain pieces of information, and hence each request for information will be dealt with on its own merits.

If you have recently moved house, and wish to know if you have moved into the vicinity of a COMAH site you can contact the Councils Emergency Planning Officer via the link at the top of this page.