Lincolnshire-based Mid UK Recycling will be hosting mock exercises at two of its sites next week to test the ‘responses and processes’ of dealing with a major waste fire.
The ‘multi-agency’ led tests will take place at the waste business’ Ancaster and Caythorpe sites next week (31 January).
Chris Mountain, managing director of Mid UK Recycling, is keen to hone responses to waste fires
The exercises will replicate the emergency responses to real waste fires, and will involve participation from organisations including Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, Lincolnshire county council, Lincolnshire Police, East Midlands Ambulance Service, the Environment Agency and public health agencies.
Mid UK – which suffered a fire at its Barkston Heath site in 2015 – hopes the exercises will help hone responses to any future incidents and assess where improvements can be made.
Fires
Chris Mountain, managing director at Mid UK Recycling, said: “Having had fires at our sites in the past we are keen to make sure we have every possible plan in place to minimise the impact of such an event should it occur again in the future.
“Since the fires we experienced we have invested heavily in fire prevention and fire suppression systems at both our sites in Caythorpe and Ancaster. However, you can never be complacent so hosting this type of exercise allows the agencies involved to test their procedures, while allowing us to test ours at the same time.”
“We need to learn from these incidents to ensure we have comprehensive, robust and reliable plans.”
Dan Moss, deputy divisional commander
Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Service
Dan Moss, deputy divisional commander for the Fire Services’ South Division, added: “Over the past few years we’ve had a number of incidents at recycling centres which have caused significant issues and disruption to the local community. We need to learn from these incidents to ensure we have comprehensive, robust and reliable plans in place should another incident occur.
“As well as allowing us to create detailed prevention and contingency plans, the exercise will enable us to test how we can work efficiently and effectively to deliver solutions for the affected community – whether this is health warnings, help for livestock or details of road closures.”
Trials
A number of fire tests have been undertaken in recent months to further understand the composition of waste fires – and the timeframes available to tackle them.
The research, undertaken by the Waste Industry Safety & Health (WISH) Forum, has yet to be adopted into the Environment Agency’s fire prevention plans guidance.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
