To understand and manage health, environmental and safety risks associated with any development, including that proposed at Port Clarence, risk assessments are undertaken. These can be simple qualitative assessments or involve complex modelling. For a risk to occur there must be a source of risk or hazard, a receptor that could be affected and a means by which the hazard reaches the receptor. This is usually referred to as a pathway. A key purpose of the risk assessment is to anticipate what might happen in normal circumstances as well as to consider what might go wrong and show that unacceptable harm will not result even in that unlikely situation.
Mathematical models are used to aid the assessment. These are not just theoretical calculations, but well-established techniques based on sound understanding of how contaminants are transported in the environment and can affect the environment. Where there is any uncertainty a safetyfirst approach is taken by using cautious but realistic assumptions.
The risk assessments show that even with these cautious assumptions applied, the worker or the member of the public would not be subject to significant exposure. These risk assessments have to be submitted to gain an Environmental Permit for the operation of the sites. Risk assessments are robustly reviewed by the Environment Agency and an Environmental Permit is not issued unless they and other statutory consultees, like the UK Health Security Agency, are satisfied that the proposed practices can be carried out in a safe manner.
Risk assessments have been carried out for a wide range of different situations covering the operational lifetime of the landfill and the
Waste Recovery Park, the post operational period for the landfill and in particular the long term future of the landfill when management of the site may no longer be in place.
The potential impacts on human health and the environment are examined through a series of assessments of different situations in which people or the environment might be affected. The situations assessed include normal operational activity as well as events or accidents that are considered unlikely to occur.
In order to understand potential risks, it is necessary to identify ways in which exposure can take place. These exposure pathways that
are assessed include direct exposure of site workers and members of the public as well as indirect exposure through the water and air pathways. The potential for fire, flooding and the effects of climate change have been taken into account. Wildlife exposure is also considered. These assessments have determined that dose thresholds in legislation and guidance will not be exceeded now, or in the long term future.
