Secondary Containment on COMAH Sites

COMAH Regulations

Organisations intending to store or handle hazardous substances in quantities exceeding specified thresholds are required to obtain planning consent prior to commencing operations. This regulatory step is a critical component in the broader framework of managing major accident hazards, as outlined in the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations.

The COMAH Regulations impose a statutory duty on operators to implement all necessary measures to prevent major accidents and to mitigate their potential impacts on both human health and the environment. Acknowledging that risk elimination is not always feasible, the regulations advocate for a dual approach: reducing risks to people to a level that is As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP), and employing Best Available Techniques (BAT) to minimise environmental risk.

To achieve and maintain compliance, organisations must demonstrate robust process safety management, including:

•  Maintaining comprehensive and up-to-date process and design documentation
•  Establishing clearly defined operational limits for all process elements
•  Ensuring that process conditions are maintained within these defined parameters
•  Assessing and understanding the consequences of any deviations
•  Regularly maintaining and testing equipment and safety-critical systems
•  Adhering strictly to established operational procedures
•  Managing organisational and technical changes in line with recognised industry standards and best practices

Effective compliance with COMAH and other risk-based safety legislation requires a systematic, management-driven approach to identifying, assessing, and controlling process hazards.

Our role as an environmental services provider is to factor these requirements into all projects concerning the site's secondary containment, ensuring safe, sustainable operations that protect people and the environment.