Health and safety experts have welcomed a report into the Buncefield disaster calling for a review of the current planning system for land use around major hazard sites.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) said that it supported, in principle, the findings of 'Recommendations on land use planning and the control of societal risk around major hazard sites' and agrees there is a need for a more cohesive system which takes into account risk to society as a whole.

Chris Marsh, the Chair of IOSH's Hazardous Industries Group, said: "It's important we learn lessons from the 2005 Buncefield explosions and fires which left more than 40 people injured and caused major disruption in the Hemel Hempstead area. This report is a sensible way forward for improvement.

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"Risk to society does need to be considered much more when assessing land use plans around major hazard sites, in order to improve risk management and protect local communities. We need a joined-up, risk-based system and it needs to be properly explained to the public. Key stakeholders and experts in the planning system should be brought together with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to agree how best this can be taken forward, and IOSH members will undoubtedly be able to help with this."

Mr Marsh added that IOSH also supported calls for better sharing of incident data and for major hazard site operators to review their management systems: "An 'Incident Alert System', as used in the offshore industry, could help people share information and lessons for prevention and we believe should serve as a model for other major hazard sectors.

"The offshore industry itself is facing a challenge with ageing infrastructure, and the same could be true for some on-shore major hazard installations. That's why it's important operators review their management systems for maintenance of equipment and systems to ensure they continue to operate safely."

(CD/JM)