Operators warned ahead of fire strike action

The Fire Brigade Union (FBU) has announced its intention to strike in a row over pensions from 6.30pm to 11pm on November 1 and from 6am to 8am on November 2.

As a result, HSE has issued advice on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government, Scottish, and Welsh Government for businesses to review their current fire risk assessments.

Other measures include checking detection systems, making sure escape plans are in place and employees know the escape procedure, and avoiding arson risks such as waste left unsecured.

Meanwhile HSE, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Natural Resources Wales, which enforce the Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) legislation, have written to major industrial site operators to alert them to the possibility of strike action.

Contingency

The letter reads: We consider that any fire fighters strike should not, in itself, cause activities at a COMAH establishment to be stopped, and we recognise that the shut-down of complex plant and processes might, in fact, temporarily increase the risks (i.e. compared with continuing operation).

However, we also recognise that the level of external emergency response cover may be significantly reduced during a strike, even allowing for any contingency arrangements that the emergency responders might have in place.

It goes on to add operators should consider the implications of reduced external emergency response cover and implement interim contingency measures to ensure the prevention of major accidents.

Fires

The warning follows a spate of high-profile fires across the waste and recycling industry this year, which has seen insurance firms pulling out of the sector as a result (see letsrecycle.com story).

The summer saw blazes at Asset and Land Groups recycling depot in Stockport on August 21, and at Jayplas plastics recycling depot in Smethwick on June 30 as the result of a sky lantern (see letsrecycle.com story).

In response, the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) is to publish new guidance for operators, with likely recommendations on stockpile separation and minimum widths between stacks of recycled material. Further details on the CFOA guidance are expected to be announced at the Fire Futures Forum in London on November 27.