Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH) 2015

2 mins

Posted on 16 Oct 2015

The Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations 2015 came into effect on 1 June 2015 and replace the 1999 COMAH Regulations which have been revoked. The HSE has also published new guidance on the COMAH Regulations 2015 (L111, Third edition) which applies from 1 June 2015.

The 2015 Regulations contain some new or changed duties including:

the list of substances covered by the Regulations has been updated and aligned to the CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging)

some definitions have been changed

there are transition arrangements for safety reports

for emergency planning, there is a new requirement for co-operation by designated authorities (Category 1 responders, as defined in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004) in tests of the external emergency plan

stronger requirements for public information including a duty for lower-tier establishments to provide public information. There are provisions for electronic access to up-to-date public information

the domino effects duty is broader, including a duty for members of a domino group to co-operate with neighbouring sites to share relevant information

stronger requirements for the competent authority on inspection

local authorities must now inform people likely to be affected following a major accident.

The Guidance can be found on the HSE website.

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