Working Groups Report

The Working Groups we have formed are proving a method for members to direct the activity of the Association to their benefit/interest. We have established three to date: Marine and Manufacturers

Working Group Next meeting is in October. The next task is to produce a standard on skimmers and then temporary storage tanks for use in spill response. We are also looking toward

Interspill in June 2022. Insurance Working Group (6 member companies) The group has met several times recently specifically to discuss methods of building mutual links with Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) and Insurance Industry Association. The goal with Insurance industry is to educate loss adjusters and underwriters to advise only use of ISAS accredited companies when undertaking remediation work following an oil spill.

In doing this we have been discussing Land Contamination in Risk Management (LCRM) which was written by the Environment Agency and first published in October 2020. It replaces CLR 11 and proposes a more intuitive approach to the management of land contamination. In the working group’s discussion two phrases have caused issues with its implementation. It refers to returning contaminated land to its ‘original’ condition without further definition.

So is ‘original’ – pre build or preincident and how is this applied and measured as part of a site environmental risk assessment.

The other is the definition that requires more detail is what defines a competent person. We believe this should be an accredited contractor. So we had a useful meeting with them on 20 September and await their feedback. The beauty with LCRM is that it is online so relatively easy to update. We await their comments.

We have prepared an article which follows this section to submit to on the implications of Land Contamination in Risk Management guidance for loss adjusters. This will go into Claims Focus and maybe followed by other articles eg biofuels

We are in the process of joining CILA and will place accredited members in the Property and Liability Special Interests Group

We have agreed a talk at CILA conference on ‘What to expect of a ISAS accredited contractor’ eg code of conduct, accredited standards, clear pricing, contract resolution etc

The group has had an effect and we look for further activity with BDMA and CILA.

Plastic Pollution Working Group

(8 member companies) was formed to respond to a request from DEFRA/EA to organise a response process for incidents involving plastic pollution. This has involved equipment trials, safe system of work, triage and then field trials with EA and a council in Lancashire.

We now have a deployable solution and await ISAS to approve the submitted suggestion for accreditation so the accreditation process can start. We also await the EA agreement on deployment.

Our work is having impact outside of DEFRA/EA world and we are in touch with British Plastic Federation, Rivers Trust, Seas-at-Risk, Ocean Generation and to NE P&I club and are looking to extend our reach, through our members, further.

We have joined Operation Clean Sweep (managed by British Plastic Federation) – supporting better management of plastic products by those who handle it in the supply chain.

We have applied to join Seas at Risk which is an association of environmental organisations from across Europe, working together to ensure that life in our seas and oceans is abundant, diverse, climate resilient, and not threatened by human activities. Its mission is to promote ambitious policies for marine protection at European and international level. With over 30 members representing the majority of European countries, Seas At Risk speaks for millions of citizens that care deeply about the health and well-being of seas and oceans.

We are considering appointing representatives from ISAS/ UKEireSpill at all Local Resilience Forums and may send ‘ambassadors’ to work with other organisations eg Surfers against Sewage who have a large drive on plastic pollution at the moment.