What to do in a chemical emergency, or if you hear the Severnside siren, and what companies use hazardous chemicals.
In a chemical emergency
If there's a chemical emergency:
- go in, close doors and windows
- stay in
- tune in, information will be broadcast on local radio, TV, social media or internet news channels, see emergency information
If it's not safe to go inside, follow instructions from the emergency services.
Severnside sirens
The Severnside alert warning siren:
audio
alert warning siren
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This will sound if theres been a hazardous chemical incident. The sirens are tested at 3pm on the third of the month. If you hear the sirens at any other time follow the emergency advice above and stay inside until you hear the all clear siren:
audio
all clear siren
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The siren test includes:
- three minutes of the alert warning
- one minute of silence
- one minute of the all clear siren
The sirens cover:
- Aust
- Avonmouth
- Pilning
- Portishead
- Severn Beach
- Shirehampton
See pdf Major Emergency Safety Advice (3.14 MB)
Control of Major Accident Hazards
Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regulations apply to businesses that make, store or use dangerous substances.
Operators of COMAH sites must have an emergency plan, which shows how they will:
- minimise the effect of an incident
- protect people and the environment
- tell people if theyve been affected
- clean up the site
We also have an emergency plan, which details how we, emergency services and health agencies will deal with an emergency affecting the area surrounding a COMAH site.
For more information, email emergency.planning@bristol.gov.uk.
COMAH sites in Bristol
There are a number of sites around Bristol that have to follow COMAH regulations. Most are in the Severnside Industrial Complex. The Health and Safety Executive Go to http://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/ (opens new window) and Environment Agency monitor COMAH sites on Severnside.
Businesses are classed as upper-tier or lower-tier sites, depending on the amount of dangerous substances they use or hold in storage.
Upper tier COMAH sites on Severnside
Esso Petroleum Company Ltd
Avonmouth Terminal, St Andrews Road, Holesmouth, Avonmouth, Bristol, BS11 9BN
Stores petroleum based products.
Hallen PSD
Ison Hill, Hallen, South Glos, BS10 7SG
Stores aviation fuel. Comes under South Gloucestershire Council.
Valero
Royal Edward Dock, Holesmouth Road, Avonmouth, Bristol, BS11 9BE
Stores petroleum based products.
Yara UK Ltd
St Andrews Road, Avonmouth, Bristol, BS11 9HU
Stores fertiliser.
Lower tier COMAH sites on Severnside
Augean Treatment
Smoke Lane, Avonmouth, Bristol, BS11 0YA
Stores and treats waste solvents, oils and water.
Berwick Wood PSD
Berwick Lane, Hallen, South Glos, BS10 7RS
Stores aviation fuel. Comes under South Gloucestershire Council.
Lower tier COMAH sites, elsewhere in Bristol
BOC Ltd
Whitby Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 3QH
Stores and fills acetylene cylinders.
Wales and West Utilities Ltd
Glenfrome House Storage Site, Glenfrome House, Eastgate Road, Bristol, BS5 5NP
Stores natural gas.