The Major Hazards Risk Assessment Unit (MHRAU) within CEMHD is responsible for contributing to the regulation of onshore major hazard sites, with a focus on assessing major hazard risks from Control of Major Accident Hazards’ (COMAH) establishments. Working with other parts of Government, including Scotland and Wales, we also deliver statutory land use planning advice on development around existing major hazard installations and major accident hazard pipelines to local authorities, duty holders, developers and the public at large. MHRAU also provides statutory advice on hazardous substances consent applications for proposals to develop new and existing businesses holding significant quantities of flammable or toxic substances. Maintaining public safety assurance in the land use planning system in relation to major hazards is central to the activities of the unit. Our advice helps to prevent major accidents and, if they were to occur, mitigate the consequences. The Unit undertakes these statutory activities on over major hazard onshore installations (including pipelines) under the following provisions:
1. The Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations (Hazardous Substance Consent, HSC).
2. Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations (COMAH).
3. The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order .
4. Your role will include: Evaluating the technical risk to people associated with COMAH establishments, focussing on the technical assessment of major hazard risk rather than occupational risk.Providing statutory and commercial advice on the risks arising from onshore major hazard installations and pipelines, as part of the planning system, to a range of stakeholders, including local planning authorities, other government departments and developers.Maintain technical policy topics, related methodologies, hazard assessment or quantified risk assessment tools, and supporting guidance.Commission science and oversee its delivery.Represent HSE at LUP appeals and inquiries and at technical gatherings of fellow professionals and other stakeholders.
Please note that HSE regulates sites across the whole of GB and therefore in this role you will occasionally need to travel to site, which may involve overnight stays .
Training
As this is a Specialist Inspector role you will undergo a Specialist Training Programme (STP). This is a two-year training programme which includes in-depth legal training and assessment on occupational health and safety during your probationary period. You will be required to complete and pass the full programme. There will also be further technical training relating to regulation of major hazards to be completed along side on the job training to become an established practitioner.