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Written by Chief Fire Officer Jon Le Page, the 19-page report into last August’s blaze sets out 14 recommendations on how to prevent a similar incident occurring again.
Recommendations include:
- A full review of the handling of hazardous material
- Raising public awareness of the dangers of disposing of hazardous material in an inappropriate way
- The Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service should be fully consulted in the creation of a new Fire Plan for the site
- The incident should be used to create a realistic training simulation to develop experience of dealing with major fires
- Reviewing the operating licence for Guernsey Recycling to minimise risk of environmental pollution
“Last August’s fire pushed the Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service to its limits,” he said. “Major incidents of this nature are, thankfully, rare in Guernsey, so it is important that when they do occur, we thoroughly review what happened to both prevent a repeat and ensure the response plan incorporates any lessons learned.”
“I am pleased that the majority of the recommendations included are already being worked on. While there are critical points made in the report, including ones I have directed at the GFRS, nothing can or should detract from what was a highly successful operation to extinguish a major fire in challenging circumstances.
“I am extremely proud of each and every one of the firefighters, and extend my thanks once again to all those who contributed to the operation on the day.”
Guernsey Recycling Managing Director Michael Grime said: “Following the fire at Guernsey Recycling’s scrap metal yard at Bulwer Avenue last summer, the management team has been working hard with authorities and interested parties to understand the causes of the fire, and how to mitigate the risk of such a fire occurring again in the future.
Guernsey Recycling Managing Director Michael Grime – “We are also working closely with International Fire Consultants Ltd, the industry-renowned expert on fires in the waste sector, and one of the main authors of the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum Guidelines.”
“We wish to thank again the professional and stoic work of the Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service, who worked tirelessly with our own courageous staff to get the fire under control as quickly as possible. We are extremely grateful to them for all their support following the fire, and the support they continue to give us. We are working together, consulting on our site management and site safety to make sure that we work as safely as possible.
“We are also working closely with International Fire Consultants Ltd, the industry-renowned expert on fires in the waste sector, and one of the main authors of the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum Guidelines.”
The report follows the launch of a project to explore the safe handling of lithium ion batteriesat the end of life, to minimise fire risks at recycling sites.
