Information to the public concerning major hazard installations

• Pages: 48-49

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9. Information to the public concerning major hazard installations

9.1. General information

9.1.1. Competent authorities should make arrangements to provide

information to the public living or working near a major hazard installation. These

arrangements should require that works management make available such

information in co-operation with the local authority for all existing installations, and

for new installations before they start to operate.

9.1.2. This information should include:

(a) the designation of the installation as a major hazard installation;

(b) a broad description in simple terms of the major hazard activities in the

installation, the hazardous substances used and how they are controlled;

(c) ways of recognising that an emergency is occurring (alarm system);

(d) the action that the public should take in the event of an emergency;

(e) the known effects to the public of a major accident;

(f) remedial treatment appropriate for anyone affected by a major accident.

9.1.3. Advice on the distance from the major hazard installation within which

the public are to be informed should be obtained from the Group of Experts or

elsewhere.

9.1.4. All different available forms of communicating this information should

be considered in order to make these procedures as effective as possible, taking into

account the different target groups (schools, hospitals, etc.).

9.1.5. The general information should periodically be repeated and if

necessary updated to allow for any movement of the population into and out of the

locality.

9.1.6. Local authorities in co-operation with works managements should

assess whether the general information has been effectively communicated and

understood, and take appropriate action to revise it if necessary.

9.1.7. Arrangements for informing the public should allow for the existence

of major hazard installations operating near a territory that comes under a different

local authority or country from the one in which the installation is situated.

Provision should be made for people living near the installation but in the adjoining

territory to be similarly informed.