§ Baroness WHITEasked Her Majesty's Government:
What regulations there are to ensure adequate bunds or other protection for the storage of oil products other than petroleum; who is responsible for the inspection of such installations and what obligation there is to consult with the appropriate Fire Service and Water Authority before constructing such oil storage facilities.
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYI am informed by the chairman of the Health536WA and Safety Commission that installations for the storage of oil products are subject to the general provisions of Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974 which requires such undertakings to be carried on with due regard to the safety of not only employed persons but also members of the general public who may be affected thereby. In premises subject to the Factories Act 1961 highly flammable oil products are subject to the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972 which contain detailed requirements for the siting and protection of tanks and vessels containing highly flammable liquids. Guidance is published on these requirements and includes information on bunding and other protection. Inspection of the majority of these installations is carried out by inspectors of health and safety of the Health and Safety Executive. There will however be some installations, mainly of a small size, connected with retail premises which will be inspected by officers employed by the local authorities. Although there are no statutory obligations to consult with the appropriate Fire Service and Water Authority before constructing such oil storage facilities, it is the practice to consult these organisations during consideration of planning applications.