The Hazardous Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

General duties on the holder in the event of an emergency or grave danger

44.—(1) In cases of emergency or grave danger, the holder of the hazardous waste shall—

(a) take all lawful and reasonable steps to avert the emergency or grave danger; or

(b) where it is not reasonably practicable to comply with paragraph (a), take all lawful and reasonable steps to mitigate the emergency or grave danger.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) an act or omission may be considered lawful notwithstanding that it would, apart from this regulation, constitute a breach of these Regulations.

(3) Where the holder of hazardous waste knows or has reasonable grounds to believe that an emergency or grave danger has arisen, he has the duty to notify the Department as soon as reasonably practicable of the circumstances.

(4) Where the holder takes any step in compliance with paragraph (1), he shall, save where such step has completely averted the emergency or grave danger, notify the Department as soon as reasonably practicable; and for the purposes of this paragraph, an emergency or grave danger shall not be considered to have been completely averted if any release has taken place of a substance or object which is, or which there are reasonable grounds to believe is, hazardous waste, whether or not the holder believes he has completely destroyed, retrieved or rendered harmless the substance or object.

(5) In the event of notification pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) being made orally, the holder shall confirm in writing to the Department the matters notified within seven calendar days of the oral notification.

(6) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) a person shall be considered to be the holder of hazardous waste notwithstanding that he would, apart from this sub-paragraph, have ceased to be the holder through the waste having left his possession or control due to release; and

(b) a person shall not be considered to be the holder of hazardous waste notwithstanding that, apart from this sub-paragraph, he would be considered the holder due to the waste having coming into his possession or control due to release onto or into premises of which he is the occupier or of which he has possession or control.