Introduction to Fire Safety Management

15.15.1 Regulation 4 – General duty
Every operator of a site that comes within the scope of 
the COMAH must take all measures necessary to pre-
vent major accidents and limit their consequences to 
persons and the environment.
15.15.2 Regulation 5 – Major accident prevention 
policy
Operators must prepare a document setting the policy 
relating to the prevention of major accidents. The policy 
must:
➤
Guarantee a high level of protection for persons and 
the environment by appropriate means, structures 
and management systems
➤
Include suffi cient particulars to demonstrate that 
the operator has established a safety management 
system
➤
Be kept up to date and revised when establishment 
or installation is changed
➤
Implemented by the operator.
15.15.3 Regulations 7–8 – Safety report
Prior to the start of construction of an establishment 
which will come within the scope of COMAH, the opera-
tor must produce a report containing information relating 
to the prevention of major accident hazards and the limi-
tation of their consequences from the site to the compe-
tent authority (normally the health and safety executive).
The operator must also provide any further informa-
tion that the competent authority may request.
Where a safety report has been sent to the 
competent authority the operator must review it:
➤
At least every 5 years
➤
When there is a change of circumstances or infor-
mation affecting the plan
➤
Whenever the operator makes a change to the 
safety management system.
When an operator proposes to modify his site or instal-
lation he must, before making any changes, review, and 
where necessary revise, the safety report prepared in 

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