Identifying potential accidents and emergencies and the action needed to reduce their environmental impacts (CP18:V8:18/01/2008)
- The Support Services Manager will be responsible for the procedures to control the purchasing, delivery, storage and safe usage of chemicals that fall within the Control of Substances Hazardous to health (COSHH) regulations 1988.
- These procedures will include details of the action to be taken in the event of accidental spillage or leakage to help minimise the environmental impact.
- The Support Services Manager will assess these procedures and review the COSHH manual on an annual basis and will inform the Personnel Manager if changes are needed to the Health and Safety at Work section of the Staff Handbook. He will also inform the Network and Systems Manager of any changes to COSHH so that the information can be updated on the Association's internal website.
- In addition to this, the Health and Safety Advisory Group will carry out an annual audit of the procedures listed in the Health and Safety section of the Staff Handbook. If an incident occurs the group will also carry out a review of relevant procedures, in the light of the incident.
- The Stores Manager will ensure that all flammable materials in the stores are kept inside fire-resistant metal cabinets.
- When not in use, petrol-driven plant will be kept in a separate, self-contained steel container outside the Stores.
- In the event of the building being evacuated because of fire, the Support Services Manager will take a COSHH manual with her (as long as it is easily to hand). She can then brief the fire brigade properly.
- She will ensure that the Environment Agency's emergency hotline number is clearly posted on notice boards in the Stores and Works Department at Hanney.
- The Deputy Specialist Services Manager and Office Services Manager also hold COSHH sheets for cleaning products they purchase.
- In case of the risk of flooding to Association property, bio-degradable sandbags will be held in stores and local authority and Environment Agency advice will be sought.
Appendix 1 – Procedure for Dealing With Spills at Hanney Office and Off Site
1. Purpose
To detail the procedure to be applied in the event of any substances liquid or materials being spilt at the Hanney Offices or Off Site
2. Relevance
- Works Manager
- Support Services Manager
- Supervisors
- Works Division Operatives
- Contractors
3. References
- Vale Website COSHH Spillage procedure
- The Associations Product Policy
- Environment Agency
- Incident Report Form
4. Procedure at Hanney Offices
4.1 Material and or liquid should be immediately covered with sand or other inert absorbent material
4.2 Line Managers, Support Services Manager, Supervisors or other relevant staff should be notified giving details of:
- Location
- Liquid or Material
- Extend or Quantity of spillage
- If spillage has entered surface or foul water drains
4.3 COSHH spillage procedures are on the Vale Website. View or phone the Works Division to ascertain if there are any specific containment or disposal requirements.
4.4 If in doubt, consult the Environment Agency (although this should not be required in view of the Association’s Environmental Product Policy).
4.5 Any contaminated sand et cetera should be placed in the spill containers within the Works Division bund to await controlled removal and subsequent disposal.
5. Procedure Off Site
5.1 Notify Support Services Manager immediately on 01235 548600 giving details of:
- Location
- Liquid or Material
- Extent or Quantity of spillage
- If spillage has entered surface or foul water drain
5.2 Support Services Manager is to establish the severity of the incident and either:
5.2.1 Notify the local Fire Brigade immediately for assistance
5.2.2 Arrange for in-house spill kit to be sent to site in order to contain spill as identified in the procedure for dealing with spills at Hanney Officers (4.3 – 4.5)
6. Recording
6.1 Details of the incident should be recorded on an Incident Report Form as a means of assessing future avoidance and action if required