제  목 : Pollution incidents on the up
  일  자 : 1996년 02월
  제공처 : SAFETY management

    The number of pollution incidents involving the largest and most
  complex industrial processes in England and Wales rose by 22 percent
  since last April, with the number of processes involved also rising by
  over a third.

    In total, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution (HMIP) investigated
  751 pollution incidents between April 1995 and September 1995 - an
  increase of over a fifth on the number of incidents in the corresponding
  period in 1994/95.

    According to figures published in HMIP's Quarterly Report, the number
  of processes involved was also up by 35 per cent - from 241 in the first
  half of last year to 325 in the first half of 1995/96.

    The report comes as the advisory committee set up in July 1994 to
  examine the efficiency and effectiveness of HMIP has called on the
  Increase in reported pollution incidents.

    'We note with some concern that there has been a recent increase in
  the number of confirmed incidents and the number of regulated processes
  involved in such incidents,' concludes the five - strong independent
  committee in its Final Report.

    'We recommend that HMIP should analyse these reports and the reasons
  behind them.'

    HMIP has now begun an investigation into the circumstances of
  pollution incidents, the results of which will be published later this
  year.

    Despite a number of recommendations, however, the report concludes
  that 'overall, HMIP enjoys a positive, responsive relationship with
  industry and the public, and is reasonably effective in explaining its
  role and promoting its approach to stakeholders.'

    Commenting on the report, HMIP Chief Inspector Allan Duncan said that
  the Inspectorate had 'already put in place a set of actions to help
  deliver the objectives' set out in the report.

  HMIP's Quarterly Report is available free from HMIP on (Tel) 0171 276
  8061

    He added : 'The report will prove a very useful tool in guiding the
  transfer of the pollution regulation function into the Environment
  Agency.'

    Commenting on the increase in pollution incidents, a spokesman for
  HMIP said that the Inspectorate was 'unclear' Why there had been an
  increase in both confirmed incidents and the number of processes
  involved.

     However, he added that 'the public are far more aware now of what we
  [HMIP] are doing.

    'We think that this is one of the reasons for the increased number of
  reported incidents.'