The HSE described the landfill gas plants, which are operated by waste management companies across the UK, as “timebombs waiting to explode”.
The danger signal was sounded by Paul Harvey, HM principal inspector with the HSE’s policy group, who is responsible for the waste management and recycling sectors.
”I have been informed by our colleagues at the Environment Agency that these plants are timebombs waiting to explode“
Paul Harvey – HSE
Speaking at a “hot topics” session at a meeting of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management in Torbay, Mr Harvey said: “I said I would have topics of interest for all. On landfill gas plants I have been informed by our colleagues at the Environment Agency that these plants are timebombs waiting to explode. There is a potential for these installations to go ‘bang’ with the potential to cause accident and injury to those people in the area.
“We will be working with the Environment Agency and colleagues in the industry to tackle this.”
Mr Harvey later emphasised that: “This is an issue that has been raised by the Agency, and the Health and Safety Executive will be investigating it.”
At the CIWM meeting, the topic was taken up by Roy Watkinson, a senior Environment Agency official who was at the hot topics meeting, but due to speak on a separate subject. Mr Watkinson said: “Since the destruction of a bungalow in Loscoe, Derbyshire in 1986, a lot of work has gone into controlling landfill gas. I would have thought issues of concern were more of fugitive emissions. I am not being complacent but I wonder whether we are getting the right message across.”
Oxygen
Mr Harvey replied with a restatement of the dangers of landfill gas plants. “Gas engines at landfill sites have the potential to cause an explosion because of oxygen entering at low flammable pressure. [referring to the Agency] I have this from your guys who inspect these sites.”
Proportion
The waste management industry trade body, the Environmental Services Association, said today landfill gas plants have an important part to play. “Landfill gas provides a large proportion of the UK's renewable energy under a strictly regulated regime. Whilst we don't know the precise details of these allegations, we are not aware of either the HSE or the Agency raising concerns with the industry,” said Mike Walker, ESA policy director.
Experience
Waste Recycling Group, one of the main operators of landfill gas plants, responded today to the HSE comments. A spokesman for WRG said: “We would need more detailed information about the HSE's statement to comment further, but there is a great deal of international experience in the collection and generation of electricity from landfill gas over many years and the safety record, particularly in the UK, is very good.
“We do not believe that modern generation plants, such as those operated by WRG, pose any unacceptable hazard to employees or members of the public and the statements we have seen reported are unnecessarily alarmist and unhelpful.”
Register for free to comment