Community Risk Register

Industrial accidents, hazardous materials and utilities

Guidance for industrial accidents, releases of hazardous materials as well as utility and infrastructure failures or outages

Industrial accidents

Unless you are advised otherwise, 'Go in, stay in and tune in'.

COMAH regulations exist to reduce the effects of major accidents involving dangerous substances. They apply to any site storing or handling large quantities of industrial chemicals. Operators must take all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and to limit their consequences for people and the environment.

The regulations operate on two levels depending on the type and quantity of chemicals handled - lower tier and upper tier.

Lower tier sites need to have a Major Accident Prevention policy. 

Upper sites need to produce a full safety report which proves that all necessary measures have been taken to reduce risks posed by the site.

Sites

There are no upper Tier sites within Northamptonshire.

We have 7 lower tier sites (some of which have multi-agency plans):

1. Miswa Chemicals Limited, Northampton, NN4 7PW
2. PX Limited, Northampton, NN5 5JN
3. Gasrec Bio-LNG Station, DIRFT, NN6 7GY
4. Tesco Distribution Limited, DIRFT, CV23 8YH
5. CPL Aromas Limited, Brixworth, NN6 9UB
6. Lumentec Technology UK Limited, Towcester NN12 8EQ
7. Scott Bader UK Limited, Wollaston, NN29 7RL

You can search for COMAH sites in your area.

Our LRF partners work closely with the site operators to ensure plans are up-to-date and regularly tested.

Power cuts

During a power cut, call 105. It’s free and will put you through to a local network operator who can give you help and advice. To find out more visit Powercut105.

• Switch off all electrical appliances, ready for when the power comes back on
• Leave a light on so you know when the power outage has been resolved
• Check to see if your neighbours are okay
• Report the power cut
• Keep a torch handy - it’s much safer than using candles
• Get a battery-powered or wind-up radio (useful for keeping up to date with relevant local news)
• Keep warm - keep a blanket and warm clothing handy and fill a vacuum flask or hot water bottle
• Stock your cupboard with food and drink that doesn’t require electricity to prepare it
• Keep your mobile phone and laptop fully charged
• Check network operators website or social media channels for updates

Water

Protect your home or workplace from burst water pipes by:

• wrapping up your pipes - pipes can be exposed to freezing temperatures if they’re in a part of your home that isn’t heated. Water companies recommend that any water pipes which are exposed to cold temperatures (such as those in the loft or in outside buildings like garages and out-houses, or your outside tap) should be protected with lagging. This helps to keep your pipes cosy and warm, reducing the risk of them freezing and bursting
• finding your stop tap - if there’s a burst pipe at home, the fastest way to stop the flow is to turn your stop tap off. Normally they’re under the kitchen sink or in the downstairs toilet - but may also be in a utility room or garage
• finding additional stop taps if your home has a water storage tank (usually found in the loft or airing cupboard) - storage tanks may have an additional stop tap or valve near to the tank itself. This will shut off the water supply to your hot water system. Once your stop tap has been located, it’s worth checking it works, as sometimes they can seize up if not used often

Anglian Water provides useful videos and advice. Thames Water and Severn Trent also provide water in some small areas.

Anglian Water offers a Priority Services Register. This provides practical support for people with a wide range of needs.

Gas

To report a gas or carbon monoxide emergency, or if a pipeline is struck (even if no gas leak has occurred) call 0800 111 999 - 24 hours a day.

In the event of an emergency:

• do not smoke or light matches
• do not turn electrical switches on or off
• open doors and windows
• turn off the meter at the control handle unless the meter is in the cellar
• call the National Gas Emergency number (0800 111 999)

You should get your gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe-registered engineer.

Reservoirs and dams

There are 39 dams and reservoirs of varying size and construction in Northamptonshire. There are 18 further reservoirs in nearby counties that would impact the area if they were to breach.

The potential flood risk posed by these sites (in the unlikely event they fail), depends on the geography of the local area. Enter the details of your property on the flood warning information service and find out if you are at risk from rivers, surface water or from dams and reservoirs.

Last updated 29 May 2024