National Chemical Emergency Centre

The United Kingdom's National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC) is part of AEA Technology, and is based at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, England.

NCEC is one of the world’s leading hazardous chemical information specialists. NCEC supplies 24-hour emergency response telephone advice and expert software to those involved with chemicals.^[1] This information helps organisations ensure that they are running a safe and compliant business and are well prepared in the unlikely case of a chemical incident.^[2]

NCEC plays a key role in national arrangements for responding to chemical incidents. It provides a 24-hour national advice service to the public emergency services on dealing with chemical incidents and is a central part of the Chemical Industries Associations CHEMSAFE scheme.^[3] NCEC's team of emergency responders advise about unknown or potentially hazardous chemicals.

In 2009 and again in 2011, NCEC was commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) to edit the EAC List publication, outlining the application of Hazchem Emergency Actions Codes (EACs) in Britain. The Dangerous Goods Emergency Action Code (EAC) List is reviewed every two years and is an essential compliance document for all emergency services, local government and for those who may control the planning for, and prevention of, emergencies involving dangerous goods. The current EAC List is 2011 which must be in full use by 1 July 2011. NCEC has been at the heart of the UK EAC system since its inception in the early 1970s, publishing the list on behalf of the UK Government until 1996 and resuming its management in 2008.

The book can be downloaded as a free pdf file from NCEC's website Download EAC List 2011 or the printed version of the book can be purchased from TSO directly (ISBN 9780117541054).

NCEC runs an annual conference for hazmat professionals and emergency services personnel. The conference covers a variety of topics including emergency planning (including practical case studies), hazardous materials response and developments in legislation, drawing on the knowledge and experience of a range of hazmat professionals and industry leaders, as well as that of NCEC’s own emergency responders. NCEC's Hazmat Event

References

1. ^ 24 hour telephone response to chemical incidents
2. ^ Environmental Expert
3. ^ Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

External links

• National Chemical Emergency Centre
• Hazchem Guide from The National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC)
• NCEC's Hazmat Event
• Download EAC List 2011
• HSE - Health and Safety Executive
• Department for Transport - Useful links on the security of transporting dangerous goods
• AEA run UK-China Near Zero Emissions Coal (NZEC)Initiative.
• Emergency Planning Directory for Hazardous Materials
• The National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC) plays a key role in national arrangements for responding to chemical incidents..., Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
• SDSs ADR 2009 Search SDSs UN number

References

• If an incident involves chemicals, we're the expert advice line, The Guardian, Feb 25, 2003