30/06/2005 - The Environment
Agency has given cement firm Lafarge Cement
UK a formal warning as a result of a full
investigation into the management controls
and environmental performance at the Westbury
Works in Wiltshire.
Concern was raised after Lafarge’s confirmation
that there had been falsification of data
relating to cement quality between 2002 and
2004. The Environment Agency immediately started
a comprehensive audit to check whether there
were any implications to the environmental
monitoring data.
Additionally the Agency refused to allow
the proposed new fuel trial to start until
the investigation was complete and confidence
fully restored.
"We have now completed a very thorough
audit of the management controls and environmental
performance which has confirmed that Lafarge’s
environment management system is robust and
reassures us that the data we receive is sound,"
said Tony Owen, area manager for the Environment
Agency.
"There are no issues with falsification
of data however our main concern was the failure
to report one minor exceedence of a cement
dust limit. This is a breach of Lafarge’s
permit and as such we have decided to issue
a formal warning.
"None of the findings revealed by the
investigation are of significant concern in
relation to any potential or actual impact
on the environment or human health."
Other points identified were the failure
by a contractor to exactly follow the relevant
standards for monitoring and the lack of documented
procedures for data conversions and providing
monitoring returns for the Environment Agency.
However the audit confirmed that the monitoring
returns were carried out correctly.
"Given the very detailed nature of the
audit we expected to identify a number of
issues and we are satisfied that our inspection
regime for the site is effective at monitoring
the company’s compliance with permit conditions
and that human health and the environment
are protected," said Tony Owen.
The formal warning means that the offence
has been formally recorded and that further
breaches of the permit will be viewed seriously
and may result in more formal action.
The audit involved a series of meetings and
visits plus extensive checking and cross-checking
of available paperwork. It took three months
to complete. A summary of the report is available
at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/southwest.
A copy of the full audit is available on request
– tel 01278 484530.
