21.11.2005 

A Hexham plant making glues and resins for the timber processing industry saw local emergency teams carry out a recent successful ‘table-top’ planning exercise.

Experts from the local councils, fire, police and ambulance services were among others at the out-of-town Campact Limited site - a wholly owned subsidiary of Egger UK Ltd - to test out responses in the event of an emergency.

The site is classified by the competent regulatory authorities as a top-tier location under the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulation 1999.

This identifies operations with potential hazards which might present a risk to their employees or the public due to the nature or amount of materials stored and handled on-site. Campact uses methanol to manufacture formaldehyde solutions, which are used to make glues and coating resins for timber products. 

Emergency plans must be regularly tested as part of the regulations. These include both an On-Site Emergency Response Plan and the Northumberland County Council’s Off-Site Emergency Plan.

The exercise simulated how the company and the emergency services would control a major methanol leak and fire. The exercise saw how emergency teams would also tackle a fire from a road tanker unloading methanol. 

Staff from Campact and Egger (UK) Ltd took part in the exercise alongside representatives from Northumbria Police, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Northumberland County Council, Tynedale Council and the Health Protection Agency together with the local NHS Trusts.  

The exercise was observed by Councillor Bill Garrett, chairman of Tynedale Council’s resources overview and scrutiny committee, both Tynedale and Northumberland County Council officials and by regulators from the HSE and EA.

Councillor Garrett said: “The local community should be reassured that emergency services and other agencies are very clear of their roles and responsibilities should it ever be necessary to deal with a major incident at this plant.  The exercise was very successful and an excellent example of a range of agencies working together to prevent risk to people or the environment."

Media enquiries: Janet Rix. Tel 01434 602191