Final report puts damages at £1bn and firms face charges
Allianz has warned about the importance of environmental risk management after a final report into the Buncefield oil depot disaster put impact costs at £1bn.
The independent report into the fire at Hemel Hempstead in December three years ago summarises the causes and puts forward a series of future recommendations.
Phil Wright, chief engineer at Allianz Engineering, said: “The publication of this report highlights that businesses must make improvements to the way environmental risks are controlled. In the insurance industry, brokers can play a crucial role in helping to ensure that clients comply with the regulations, improve safety and reduce risks to the environment at COMAH sites.”
The regulation of sites such as Buncefield falls under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH).
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the environment agencies, who form the joint COMAH Competent Authority, have said that applying the lessons from Buncefield will remain a high priority.
Wright says: "The importance of complying with COMAH legislation cannot be overstated. The HSE have since prosecuted five companies over this incident which should act as a warning to businesses to be more aware of their environmental responsibility.”
Criminal proceedings have started against three companies over the Buncefield disaster.
