Pollution incident response plan

Businesses that use, store and transport significant amounts of chemical materials should create a pollution incident response plan . This document sets out which chemicals are held and what steps are required to prevent a spill, plus what to do if the worst happens.

What's covered?

The first part of our document asks you to provide details of the location the chemicals will be stored/used. Here you should provide the site address, the National Grid reference and any suitable map references. Next, you should give an overview of the activities completed on your site.

In the second section of the document “External contacts” , you should list the names and contact details of those who should be called if materials are spilt. Your contacts should include: the local hospital, the Environment Agency, the local water company/authority and a waste management contractor.

The next section of the document provides space to list the substances held. Here you should record: (1) the trade name/substance; (2) its chemical form, i.e. solid, liquid or gas; (3) the maximum amount held at any one time; (4) where on your site it is held; (5) what type of containment is in place, e.g. a bund; and (6) any relevant health and environmental properties.

The following page of the document asks you to list the equipment you hold which can and should be used in the event of a spill. Finally, the last page provides space to include a site plan.