px kindly hosted the latest meeting of the CATCH Major Hazards Network Group on Wednesday 12^th November 2025 at their site at Saltend Chemical Park, welcoming over 30 delegates both in-person and via Microsoft Teams. The group is chaired by Dan Rawdin from SSE, who welcomed delegates to the event and introduced our speakers.

Guest Speaker Carolyn Nicholls, Managing Director of R A S Limited, a Process and Technical Safety Consultancy, opened the event, giving a presentation on the CDOIF (Chemical and Downstream Oil Industries Forum) New Guidance on Major Hazard Human Harm Risk Assessment that has been prepared and is now available for review and feedback. The guidance has been carefully drafted to support the UK’s 700+ COMAH industries in being able to apply key principles consistently and ensure they are aligned to the regulations. The guidance balances information needed by new entrants into the COMAH community as well as experienced operators, offering options to guide users. Carolyn finished by taking questions from the group and addressing any concerns or queries raised by delegates. You can view the draft guidance below, and the deadline for feedback is 27^th February 2026.

After a coffee break, Peter Davidson, Chief Executive Officer of Tank Storage Association, gave an update on the COMAH Strategic Forum (CSF), including their current priorities and emerging regulatory focus. The CSF’s strategy is delivered through six objectives, including: understanding the current and the longer-term challenges affecting COMAH, agreed principles, reasonably practicable and sustainable solutions, and the development of the CA’s policies and robust regulatory framework.

The COMAH Strategic Forum’s work is delivered through its Working Groups, including Process Safety Leadership, Engagement/ and Outreach, Capability and Competence, Natech (Natural Hazards Triggering Technological Accidents) and Adaptation. More information about the Process Safety Forum, please contact peter.davidson@tankstorage.org.uk

Peter finished by taking questions from the group, and the meeting of the network was formally closed by Chair Dan Rawdin.

The next meeting of the CATCH Major Hazards Network will be held on 18th March 2026. For more information about this or our other CATCH Networks, please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org.