Fires at waste sites - The industry perspective. CFOA Fire Futures Forum 27 th November 2013.

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Theresa Nash
5 years ago
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1 Fires at waste sites - The industry perspective. CFOA Fire Futures Forum 27 th November Chris Jones Chairman, WISH

2 In the next 15 minutes or so. The context and history The diversity of the industry - Size - Activity The industry s needs and desires - WISH workplan

problem, not the solution - poor practices and high accident rates Increasing

increasing volumes reused or recycled - decreasing accident and incident rate A

3 Context and history. The societal context - a neglected and unappreciated industry - seen as the problem, not the solution - poor practices and high accident rates Increasing recycling without increasing the harm - increasing collection effort - increasing volumes reused or recycled - decreasing accident and incident rate A time of rapid change - move away from Landfill toward processing, which requires additional handling and storage - emerging technologies, new challenges

Context and history - the statistical facts Numbers and severity of fires at waste sites 2006-2012 - Are not

4 Context and history - the statistical facts Numbers and severity of fires at waste sites Are not increasing (at permitted or not permitted sites) - Waste volumes recycled have increased from c20m tonnes to c35m tonnes

over waste storage after the largest fires the fire and rescue services have ever

5 Context and history media and perception Higher profile , the summer that was blighted by waste fires - calls for tightening of controls over waste storage after the largest fires the fire and rescue services have ever seen - Fires hitting the waste industry have had a dramatic effect with insurers pulling out of the sector completely.

6 Context and history perception and reality It s not all (or even mostly!) rogue traders and low standards - six and seven figure CAPEX spending on fire strategies not uncommon - sophisticated fire prevention and mitigation plans exist and are effective - real desire among many companies of all sizes to address fire issues

7 Diversity Size Private Sector - Large numbers of small to medium operators - <10 large, national, waste operators - 2 Large national scrap/metal recyclers Public Sector - Range of LA s undertaking recycling, some very large Third Sector - many small charitable or community recycling/reuse schemes

8 Diversity Activity The waste sector - Treatment facilities - Transfer stations - Scrap and metal recycling - charitable/community activities

9 Industry needs and desires Less fires - fires are a cost to the industry AND society Clear standards and guidance - taking into account the diversity in scale and nature of its activities. - Proportionate to the risk Effective and consistent enforcement - Level playing field - Proportionate to the risk Access to effective and consistent insurance - Premiums and terms which are Proportionate to the risk - Access to good quality risk engineering support Effective and open communication and support - Government bodies - Insurers

Industry response Working group on best practice guidance - Part of the ESA Health and Safety Working Group strategy (2011-15) planned for 2013.

10 Industry response Working group on best practice guidance - Part of the ESA Health and Safety Working Group strategy ( ) planned for Part of the WISH roadmap plan of work (April 2013) - ESA group is now forming and enjoys the help and support of: Major private sector waste companies; Fire and Rescue services; Environment Agency; Major insurers and risk engineers; and the Fire Protection Association among many others Approach WISH method - First meeting on December 4 th Small group to develop first draft, then - An iterative series of improved and developed drafts which are widely circulated for comment, - Meetings if necessary on specific points - Meeting to agree final form

11 WISHing for change WISH is committed to change by: - Establishing and sharing best practice - Improving the safety performance of the industry - Developing the competence of those who work in the industry - Improving perception of the waste industry as a safe place to work We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win. John F Kennedy ( ) We need your help You must be the change that you wish to see in the world Mahatma Gandhi ( )

The purpose of this report is to seek the Committee s recommendations on the review of the waste minimisation and disposal significant activity.

3. REVIEW OF WASTE MINIMISATION AND DISPOSAL Officer responsible Author Director of Operations Chris Kerr, Business Improvement Manager, DDI 941-8671 The purpose of this report is to seek the Committee