We saw through 2014 that there was a steady increase on the numbers of enquiries associated to waste sites across the UK for DSEAR assessments to be completed. This has been the result of increased pressure from both the HSE and the Insurers who have seen DSEAR as an area of weakness across the sector.
The waste sector has been for some time a high risk focus area for the HSE (and continues to be) and during the HSE visits it was initially a deficiency in Fire risk assessments that were being picked up. However in 2014 many of the waste sites made it clear that the DSEAR assessment was needed as the HSE had (as part of FFI made recommendations) indicated that the assessment should be completed. Of course the waste sites were in effect paying the HSE to tell them they needed a DSEAR assessment through the FFI charges. Then had to pay for the assessment on top of this.
On a number of other enquiries the prompt to complete the DSEAR assessment had come from the Insurers; something that other sectors have been experiencing as well for a number of years. Often the insurers will want to see an assessment completed by Competent Persons (in DSEAR) and will want assurances that the assessment is up to date and that remedial work is in hand. This is increasingly becoming a stipulation of the insurance cover.
So if your business is in the waste sector then it’s worth checking that you:
Have an assessment that is up to date; That it has been completed by competent DSEAR assessors; That zoning has been properly identified; That remedial actions are completed or at least in hand.
You don’t want to have the HSE tell you that you are not compliant or the Insurers tell you you’re not going to be covered do you!
