Health & Safety Executive, Chemical & Hazardous Installations Division (CHID)

Examining Safety Reports and Evaluating Safety Management Systems

Abstract

This paper outlines the principles and criteria used by the UK Competent Authority for assessing Safety Reports required by the Seveso II Directive. They are based on

1. fundamental principles that enforcement should be targeted, proportionate, consistent and transparent,
2. a model which allows the process of assessment to follow 'quality' procedures

The Competent Authority examines each Safety Report and uses criteria to help it to determine whether the purposes of Article 9(1) of Seveso II have been met. The basis of these criteria are described in the paper and particular focus is placed on how the Major Accident Prevention Policy and safety management systems are assessed using some of these criteria.

full text (in word format)