Latest news with #safetyRegulations
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
MP: Grenfell-style mistakes could be repeated over battery storage regulation
The Government risks repeating the mistakes of Grenfell unless safety regulations on battery storage units are brought forward, an MP has warned. Liberal Democrat John Milne said there were 'alarming parallels' with the systemic failure which led to the west London tower block fire. Currently there are no laws which specifically govern the safety of battery energy storage systems (Bess), according to the House of Commons library. However, individual batteries could be subject to product safety regulations. Speaking in the Commons, Mr Milne accused the Government of being 'too complacent' as he called for enforceable regulations for the design and construction of the storage systems. The MP for Horsham said: 'The Grenfell disaster was the end result of many failings by both individuals and companies, but at its heart it was a failure of regulation. 'The rules left things wide open for exploitation by cost-cutting developers, and that is exactly what happened. 'Just as with lithium-ion batteries, a new technology, in this case cladding, was being used at scale for the first time without proper understanding of the risks. The time to act is now.' He continued: 'The Government itself has responded to all questions from myself and others to say that it considers the present regulatory regime to be robust. I am tempted to say pride comes before a fall. 'In the last few weeks a Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman has stated that battery fires at storage sites are rare in the UK, we already have high standards in place that require manufacturers and industry to ensure batteries are safe throughout their lifespan. 'This is just too complacent. 'Fires as a result of cladding were also incredibly rare, but that did not save 72 lives at Grenfell.' Mr Milne said the industry would benefit from clear guidance, before adding: 'Any guidance needs to cover-off a number of areas, including transport of batteries to the site, design and construction, fire-fighting, ongoing inspection and decommissioning. 'In the short term, if the Government is for any reason still reluctant to regulate, perhaps it could issue clear national guidelines which are capable of being updated annually. 'Enforcement might then take place through the insurance industry, who would be likely to insist that any new applications followed such guidelines, as no project can go ahead without insurance, it is enforcement by the back door. 'Grenfell was a wholly predictable tragedy. A similar fire at Lakanal House in Camberwell, which killed six people, should have made us understand the risk, but the warning wasn't heeded and history took its course. 'We can't go back in time to stop Grenfell, but we can act now to avoid making the same mistake again with battery energy storage systems.' Elsewhere in the debate, Conservative MP for Mid Buckinghamshire Greg Smith said there should be minimum distances between battery storage sites and housing. Mr Smith said: 'This is not a debate about the principle of energy storage, although I am in principle opposed to such schemes taking agricultural land and challenging our food security, but today's debate, which is deeply concerning, and what this House must urgently address, are the real, growing, and too often overlooked safety implications of these installations, particularly when placed in close proximity to villages, and rural road networks ill-equipped to support them.' He added: 'At the very least the Government should introduce clear national guidelines on the siting of Bess installations, including minimum separation distances from residential properties, fire resilience standards, mandatory site-specific risk assessments and restrictions on placing these facilities on, or near, rural roads.' SNP MP for Aberdeen North, Kirsty Blackman, said developers should pay towards fire mitigation measures. She said: 'If we're saying to those organisations that are creating the battery storage sites, you will need to pay for the fire safety assessment, you will need to consult the local fire and you will need to pay for the training of those local fire teams in tackling fires at battery energy storage sites, I think that would be the most reasonable way forward. 'Ask them to pay for that training, because it's them that are going to be making a huge profit off it.' Energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said: 'It is often claimed that there is no regulation in this sector because there is no specific law addressing battery safety. This is simply untrue. 'The safety and standards of batteries are assured throughout their life cycle. The Government is therefore confident that the safety risks posed by grid-scale batteries are relatively small and well managed.' She added there is 'scope to strengthen' the planning process.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Review into proposal to make Jersey waters safer
A review has been launched into proposals to introduce penalties for people found to have harmed others in Jersey watersThe change to the Harbours (Inshore Safety) Regulations would introduce new offences for the dangerous or careless operation of a ship and for causing serious injury or is also proposed to introduce aggravated offences for those who cause death or serious injury while under the influence while in charge of a review was launched by the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, which said it wanted to see if the proposals go far enough to "make Jersey's water safer for everyone." Deputy Montfort Tadier, panel chairman, said: "Many locals and visitors to Jersey enjoy spending time in or on the water, whether it is for sailing, swimming or because they run a business that is based around what the sea has to offer. "Therefore, it's important that the laws which govern our territorial waters enable the authorities to properly deal with any incidents that might occur, especially in cases where external factors such as drugs or alcohol may be an issue."This review will investigate whether what has been proposed goes far enough or if more could be done to ensure it meets the aim, which is to make Jersey's water safer for everyone."The panel said it would present its findings to the assembly ahead of a debate due to take place in July.
The National
11-05-2025
- The National
Dubai Police seize 32 jet skis in water safety campaign
A field inspection carried out by Dubai Ports Police officers has resulted in dozens of jet ski seizures and a number of fines being issued. The operation prompted 32 jet skis to be confiscated due to severe damage, involvement in previous accidents, or being deemed unfit for use. Additionally, 39 notices were issued for safety breaches and non-compliance with designated operating routes. The campaign, carried out at Fishing Harbour 3 and targeting jet-ski rental companies, is part of Dubai Police's aim to ensure companies comply with safety regulations. Brig Dr Hassan Suhail Al Suwaidi, Director of the Ports Police Station, said the campaign had uncovered administrative violations by some companies, including a lack of electronic documentation and unclear rental procedures. Using an unlicensed 'watercraft' or operating in Dubai waters without authorisation comes with a fine of Dh5,000 ($1,360). Operating one with an expired licence can draw a Dh1,000 fine, while renting out an unfit watercraft could cost the culprit Dh5,000. Jet skis have long been a safety issue, with a number of deaths recorded each year. In 2022 in the US, jet skis were the second most common type of watercraft involved in any accident, after motorboats. In nearly 1,000 jet-ski accidents in 2022, there were 54 deaths and 549 injuries. A number of jet ski-related deaths have been reported in the UAE where the watersport has become a popular leisure activity, the most recent being when a person was killed and another injured in 2020 in a jet-ski crash in Dubai. The fatal incident took place near The Palm. In August the previous year, a man had to be rescued after he crashed his jet ski into the breakwater at a beach in Dubai. The man, 20, was riding his jet ski at Al Mamzar Beach Park when the accident took place. Fujairah police also reported a death in 2018 when a jet skier died after falling off his vehicle in the waters near Fujairah city's corniche, and back in 2011, Dubai Police confiscated 42 jet skis and four boats in a month after stepping up enforcement. The push came after an Emirati boy, 17, was struck and killed off The Palm. Most of the impounded craft were unregistered, police said at the time.
