1.2
According to Condition 4.1 of version K of the
EP (No. EP-353/2009/K), the Permit Holder shall deposit with the Director of
Environmental Protection three sets of a detailed Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
on how to prevent oil and chemical spillage caused by traffic incidents on the
carriageway from entering into the water body. The ERP shall be verified by the
Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) as confirming to the recommendations
contained in the EIA Report.
1.3
Section 9.9.4
of the EIA Report for HKBCF & Hong Kong Link Road (HKLR) discussed the
accidental spillage. A copy of this section is enclosed in Appendix 1 of
this ERP.
2.
objectives
2.1
This document presents the ERP to deal with oil
and chemical spillage (hereinafter referred to as “chemical spillage”) due to
vehicle accidents that may occur on the viaducts, at-grade roads and vehicle
clearance plazas within the HKP during the operation stage of the HKP. The
objectives of this ERP are to ensure that:
(1)
a timely and effective response to any spill
incidents occurred on road surface and other adjacent areas contaminated by the
spilled chemical on carriageways within the HKP;
(2)
the coordination of the relevant Government Departments
to deal with the spill; and
(3)
minimal impacts to the aquatic environment and
ecological system in the waterbody surrounding the HKP which is within the
North Western Water Control Zone of the HKSAR.
2.2
The priorities for control of the spill are as
follows:
(1)
The primary aim is to control the spreading of
spill on the road surface on viaducts, at-grade roads and vehicle clearance
plazas within the HKP and prevent release of spills into adjacent waterbody,
either through road drainage systems or by other means; and
(2)
The secondary aim is to clean up the spill and
re-open any affected area of the HKP to traffic as soon as possible.
3.1
There are wide varieties of chemicals. Oil,
fertilizers, corrosive or poisonous chemicals which can pose serious threats to
the ecology of the North Western Water Control Zone. This ERP deals with the general
chemical spillage instead of restricting itself to only certain categories of
chemicals.
3.2
Chemicals in liquid state or chemicals soluble
in water are of most concern because there is a higher risk of these chemicals
released into the sea through the drainage systems of the HKP.
4.1
The general layout of the HKBCF is shown on Drawing
Nos. 60191048/MLP11/101 and 60191048/MLP11/102. There are viaducts,
at-grade roads and vehicle clearance plazas within the HKBCF with vehicle
movements.
4.2
The drainage systems on viaducts, carriageway
and in the vehicle clearance plazas would discharge into the sea surrounding
the HKP within the North Western Water Control Zone. In case of a vehicle
accident on the carriageway, it may cause the spillage of chemicals that will
have potential impacts to the water quality and ecology in the North Western
Water Control Zone if the spillage is not dealt with properly.
5.
response organizations and emergency response
plan
5.1
In a chemical spillage incident, a prompt action
to prevent the spillage from releasing into the sea surrounding the HKP is the
major task. A quick response time is therefore crucial in dealing with the
spillage incident. The main response departments and the relevant emergency
response plans being implemented are shown below. A flow chart depicting the
procedures in dealing with chemical spillage incident on HKBCF, briefly listing
out the respective responsibilities of various parties is shown in Appendix
2.
Hong Kong
Police Force (HKPF)
5.2 The New Territories Regional Command and Control Centre (RCCC/NT) of
HKPF operates 24 hours in parallel with Fire Services Communications Centre
(FSCC) of Fire Services Department (FSD). Upon receiving the report of vehicle
accident with, or with likelihood of, chemical spillage on the HKP, the RCCC/NT
will immediately activate this ERP and inform the relevant Government Departments
including but not limited to those Departments identified under this ERP to
take immediate actions to deal with the (potential) chemical spillage.
5.3 HKPF will set up a Mobile Command Post to co-ordinate the road
closure and clearing up operations. All parties concerned might then
liaise with the Command Post for updated information.
5.4 As HKPF and FSD are usually the first emergency services to arrive
at the scene, they will carry out a preliminary assessment as to the likelihood
of chemical spillage from vehicle, and if spillage has occurred, the likelihood
of the spill entering into the drainage systems of the HKP. HKPF should keep
RCCC/NT informed of the seriousness of the incident and provide RCCC/NT with
regular updated situation reports.
5.5 In the event of traffic congestion brought about by a chemical
spillage incident, HKPF will inform the Mainland/Macao Authorities through the
established border liaison channel for any incidents which may cause serious
disruption to the operation of the HKP. They may request Mainland/Macao Authorities
for assistance from Mainland/Macao as and where necessary.
5.6 HKPF will be the key member of the ad hoc chemical spillage response
team comprising representatives of all relevant Departments to deal with
(potential) chemical spillage from vehicle. The duties of the response team are
as follows:
(1)
To assess the seriousness of the chemical
spillage, the likelihood and the means to avoid the chemicals entering into the
drainage gullies or the waters surrounding the HKP;
(2)
To coordinate between different Departments
involved; and
(3)
To determine whether and what additional support
and assistance from other Departments not included in this ERP should be called
upon directly or through policy Bureaux.
5.7 Other duties of the HKPF in case of chemical spillage include:
(1)
Protect life and property;
(2)
Initiate a cordon of the area affected by the
chemical spillage under the advice of FSD and EPD and implementing traffic
management and control measures for people, vehicles or vessels at the scene.
HKPF will also transport sawdust stored inside the weight-station in the HKP to
the scene to control the spreading of any spilled chemical and to prevent the
spillage chemical from entering into drainage systems on the carriageway;
(3)
Assist in evacuation of the affected area, if
necessary;
(4)
Implement traffic management and control
measures on all roads leading to the scene; and
(5)
Provide escort to emergency / rescue vehicles
and / or transports carrying plants and equipment to deal with the chemical
spillage in case they are delayed by traffic jams.
Fire
Services Department (FSD)
5.8 FSD is mainly responsible for fire-fighting and rescue. It is
expected that the response time to any accident / incident at the HKP would be
in terms of several minutes as there is a Fire Station at the HKP.
5.9 FSD has established procedures to deal with chemical spillage. FSD
Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the incident will appraise the situation and assess
whether the accident / incident is a Major and/or Prolonged Chemical Incident.
FSD will be responsible to take the following actions:
(1)
Protect life and property, and remove immediate
danger;
(2)
Identify the type of chemicals such as whether
it would be poisonous / hazardous to human being in the vicinity through
inhalation or contact, or whether it is flammable / explosive and determine
whether evacuation of the area is necessary. FSD will advise HKPF the extent of
the cordon area. In case the chemicals cannot be identified on the scene, FSD
will seek information from the consignee firm and/or call upon Government
Laboratory (GL) to identify the chemical;
(3)
Assist other responsible Departments in cleaning
up such chemical spillage if required;
(4)
Control or secure the situation such as confining
the spillage, the effect of chemical contamination, etc., by appropriate means;
and
(5)
Assist other Government Departments which may
render upon request.
Transport
Department (TD)
5.10 In case of vehicle accident with, or with likelihood of, chemical
spillage in the HKP, TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre and HKPF’s
Regional Command and Coordination Centre will monitor the traffic conditions
within the HKP and in its vicinity, with support of the 24-hour Traffic Control
and Surveillance System (TCSS) operated by TD.
5.11 TD will assist HKPF to ascertain the necessity of traffic diversion
and control, and whether partial or total road closure, or even closure of the
HKP is required. TD will liaise with the bus companies, Mass Transit Railway
Corporation Limited and relevant ferry operators on emergency public transport
arrangements as they considered required. TD will assist the temporary
traffic management / arrangement including contra-flow traffic arrangement if
necessary. TD, in consultation with Police Public Relations Branch
(PPRB), will be responsible for disseminating traffic diversion and lane / road
closure as well as other related traffic and transportation information for
motorists through the media and to other parties if necessary. Regarding
cross-boundary coach services on HZMB, TD will arrange publicity on the traffic and transport condition of HKP,
inform Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) duty officer, and inform the
cross-boundary coach association on the traffic and
transport condition of HKP. Transport Incident
Management Section (TIMS) duty officer will request them to adjust service
level / suspend service as appropriate.
Highways
Department (HyD)
5.12 HyD is the maintenance department for the highway structures and
roads at the HKP. Within the resources of the Department or through the
term maintenance contractors, HyD will be responsible for the following duties:
(1)
Assist to recover / handle spilled oil, using
sawdust or dry sand under the supervision of Environmental Protection
Department (EPD) or other relevant Departments. When necessary, provide
vacuum tanker vehicle or equivalent, the usage of which is under the direction
of EPD / Government Laboratory (GL).
(2)
When necessary, provide equipment and manpower
to assist EPD’s licensed chemical waste collector to collect the spilled oil or
chemical on the scene immediately after the incident with the advice provided
by EPD;
(3)
Reinstate / repair any damaged road surface,
essential bridge structure and street furniture under their ambience
immediately after the affected area is cleaned up to enable the earliest
resuming of traffic for the affected area on the HKP;
(4)
Provide equipment and personnel for the removal
of landed oil on ungazetted beaches and foreshores
provided that land access is available, in accordance with the Maritime Oil Spill Response Plan (MOSRP) by Marine
Department.
Management,
Operation and Maintenance (MOM) Contractor
5.13 The MOM contractor is engaged to provide day-to-day facility
management services, including site and property management, general security,
cleansing and waste disposal, traffic operation and monitoring, and maintenance
of landscaping works, in the HKP. The MOM Contract is administered by Government Property Agency.
5.14 According to the MOM Contract and the associated Incident Management
Plan, the MOM contractor will be responsible for the following duties:
(1)
Cordon off the area with barrier or traffic
cones in order to segregate people and vehicles from the incident site. Also
prevent spilled material to be in contact with water to avoid any chemical
reactions;
(2)
Manage the oncoming traffic and establish
alternate traffic routes if required;
(3)
Provide support as instructed by HKPF/TD,
emergency services and the traffic control within the HKP boundary;
(4)
If the spill can be cleaned up safely, and if
there are drains in the area, use suitable material to prevent the hazardous
material from reaching the drain;
(5)
Notify Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and
Civil Aviation Department (CAD) in accordance with the established protocol if
the incident has any potential impact to Hong Kong International Airport;
(6)
Coordinate and maintain
close communication with emergency services (i.e. HKPF, FSD), other Departments
including Drainage Services Department, telecommunication or utility companies on any
maintenance and recovery actions required.
Environmental
Protection Department (EPD)
5.15 EPD has plans responding to marine based and land based pollution
incidents in the territory, EPD will follow these plans as appropriate in
handling such incidents.
Government
Laboratory (GL)
5.16 When requested by FSD, GL will provide assistance in chemical
identification in a chemical spillage incident and advise the characteristics
of the chemical so as to help FSD and HKPF plan the operational strategy. If
necessary, GL will send an officer to the scene to assist in locating /
identifying the chemicals, analyse the levels of toxic substances at scene and/or
provide advice to stabilise / handle / dispose of the chemicals.
Marine Department (MD)
5.17 MD is the designated authority for the clean up of oil spillage and
floating refuse at sea. When the chemical spill from a vehicle accident
has been released from the HKP into the waters, MD will endeavor to regulate
the marine traffic in and in the vicinity of the affected area, subject to
available depth of water and a risk hazard assessment of the working
environment confirmed that the prevailing environment is safe. In case of
oil spillage into the waters, the response actions from MD will follow the
MOSRP, which has been developed to deal with oil spill and their potential
hazard to the waters of HKSAR, in order to provide a timely response to oil
spillages.
5.18 The other responsibilities of MD include:
(1)
Provide absorbents, booms and skimmers for
controlling the spill at where and when practical and desirable; and
(2)
Monitor the spill situation and reporting extent
of pollution.
In order to
provide timely and effective responses to the incidents, MD would solicit
assistance from Marine Police as necessary.
5.19 In principle, either MD or the Zhuhai/Macao counterpart will not be
responsible for any cross border cleaning up of the oil spillage at sea, unless
request is made by the governing side of the incident scene to the other
side. In such case, coordination will be through HKPF, who is the
principal coordinating Department with the Zhuhai/Macao Governments through the
established border liaison channel.
5.20 However, even if the oil spillage is confined to the waters of HZMB
Main Bridge, MD will arrange a duty-officer to take charge of the clean-up
operation at sea and render assistance when the situation warrants.
Moreover, the MD Patrol launch deployed at the scene/in vicinity Its main
duty is to provide traffic regulating.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)
5.21 AFCD will advise on the protection of ecologically sensitive areas
in the waters; provide assistance and comments on the methods for cleaning up
the substances/wastes/chemicals washed ashore in the nearby Marine Parks,
especially their ecological impacts as recommended by relevant authorities; and
monitor the ecological conditions and assess the potential ecological/fisheries
impacts at the likely affected ecologically sensitive areas.
Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)
5.22 If necessary, LCSD will arrange the removal of landed oil from
gazetted beaches according to the MOSRP.
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
5.23 In case of oil spillage incidents, FEHD will
provide manpower to assist but limited to manual removal of non-contaminated
refuse not classified as chemical or hazardous waste on non-gazetted beaches
and foreshores that are without land access if necessary.
District Office (Islands)
5.24 DO(Islands) will inform the relevant District Council member(s) and
Village Representative(s) in case of chemical spillage incidents in the waters
as necessary.
Owner of
the Chemicals
5.25 In case of chemical spillage incidents, the responsibilities of the
owner of the chemicals include the following:
(1)
Advise the type and characteristics of the
chemicals; and
(2)
Remove the chemicals and those sand bags /
absorbents which are soaked with chemicals, including the spilled chemicals on
the carriageways of the HKP, in the waters and those washed ashore.
5.26 If the owner of the chemicals does not possess suitable plant and
machinery for the removal, the owner could hire a contractor to do the job for
himself, or alternatively the Government can do the job and then charge the
owner accordingly. If the owner is reluctant to take action, relevant
Government authorities could prosecute the owner according to the relevant laws
of Hong Kong.
6.
emergency respoNse actions
6.1
In the event of vehicle accident on the
carriageway of the HKP, the relevant Government Departments will implement the
existing emergency response plans to deal with the incident.
6.2
It is important for the relevant Government Departments
to confine the spill to be within the carriageway such that water quality and
ecological impacts to the waters surrounding the HKP would be minimized.
6.3
At least 24 nos. dry sandbags will be stored at
Highways Depot & Administration Building at the HKP to the southeast of the
outbound vehicle clearance plaza and sawdust will be stored at the HKPF’s
weigh-station at the HKP to the southwest of the outbound vehicle clearance
plaza. The locations of HyD’s depot and HKPF’s weigh-station are shown in Drawing
No. 60191048/MLP11/101. HyD will transport the sand bags and HKPF will
transport the sawdust from their own storage locations to the scene
respectively to control the spreading of any spilled chemical and to prevent
the spilled chemical from entering into drainage system on the carriageway.
6.4
The operation guidelines to deal with the spill
to minimize water quality and ecological impacts include:
(1)
Identify the type of chemicals if it would be
poisonous / hazardous to human being in the vicinity through inhalation of /
contact with them, or flammable / explosive which require immediate evacuation
of the area;
(2)
Evacuate the area as necessary;
(3)
Stop the flow of spill from the source of the
pollution;
(4)
Confine the spill to a limited area and prevent
the spill from entering the road drainage system of the HKP;
(5)
Avoid spraying water or chemicals unless it is
absolutely necessary. For oil spills to the waters, no oil dispersants should
be used. For chemical spills, the measures to be taken will need to be decided
case by case. Appropriate techniques and methods with careful study and
assessment should be adopted. AFCD, EPD and/or GL should be consulted as
needed;
(6)
Remove the spilled chemical by using suitable
equipment and materials, e.g. absorbent to absorb the oil on the road surface.
The absorbent should be able to absorb oil material at a high ratio of oil to
absorbent;
(7)
Dispose of the collected spill and the used
absorbent as chemical wastes once the spill has been removed from the road
surface;
(8)
Any flushing water (or other chemicals) for
cleaning spilled chemical on the HKP should be retrieved by vacuum suction or
equivalent means to suitable container for proper disposal. Flushing chemicals
to the waters, either directly or via the road drainage system is strictly
prohibited; and
(9)
Monitor the dispersion of the spilled chemicals
in the waters.
6.5
Personnel responsible for the clean up operation
should take safety precautions in accordance with the corresponding
departmental guidelines and procedures.
6.6
According to the Height Restricted Areas and
Special Areas for the Hong Kong Link Road and the Hong Kong International
Airport Approach Restricted Areas under Fifth Schedule of Cap. 313A
and Section 12 & 18B of Cap. 548F
respectively, the relevant emergency responsible Departments should deploy
their emergency teams and vessels in the vicinity to evaluate their vessel
height in compliance with the height restriction under the Law.
7.1
In order to provide a prompt response to an
emergency event, relevant Government Departments who are responsible for
dealing with the spill incident must be familiar with the procedures and the
operation of the essential equipment. Training should be provided to all
designated personnel of all relevant Government Departments and other parties to
deal with the spill incident on the HKP by individual party referring to its
own standing practice that is currently in force in Hong Kong. The areas that
should be covered in the training include:
(1)
Procedures to deal with spill incident
(2)
Ordinance and regulations related to chemical
waste control
(3)
Awareness of chemical waste hazards and
pollution
(4)
Roles and responsibilities
(5)
Precaution and safety measures
(6)
Spill clean up
(7)
Spill disposal
7.2
It is important to regular test-run to establish
the effectiveness of this ERP. The aim is to ensure good coordination and
prompt action amongst relevant Government Departments. Testing will take the
form of an exercise or drill to practice responding to a spill on the HKP. The
exercise is aimed to build the sense of teamwork and familiarity from relevant Government
Departments. It makes the response more effective and efficient when an actual
spill incident occurs. Details of the training and drill by each individual
party should refer to its own standing practice that is currently in force in Hong
Kong.
Designated
Response Party
|
Telephone Number
|
Home Affairs Department (HAD)
|
Senior Liaison Officer (2), Islands District Office
Senior
Liaison Officer (1),
Tuen
Mun District Office
|
2852 4573 /
9380 7484
2451
3032
|
Hong Kong Port MOM Contractor
|
-
|
3195 2419
|
Transport Department (TD)
|
Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC)
|
2410 0066 /
2410 0193
|
Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF)
|
Controller, RCCC/NT
|
3661 7200
|
|
Airport Police Control Room
|
3661 2089
|
|
Lantau North Division
|
3661 1694
|
Fire Services Department (FSD)
|
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Fire Station
|
2516 0200
|
Chek Lap Kok Fire Station
|
2949 9082
|
|
Tung
Chung Fire Station
|
2988 1898
|
Marine Department (MD)
|
Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC)
|
2233 7801
|
Environmental Protection Department (EPD)
|
Mr. Alfred Lo
(Environmental Protection Officer)
|
2516 1782
|
Government Laboratory (GL)
|
Duty Chemists
|
Responder 1:
6377 6591
Responder
2:
6377
6599
|
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)
|
Dr. YM Mak
(Marine
Conservation Officer)
|
3468 5742
|
Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)
|
For gazetted beaches in Tuen Mun District:
|
|
1. Senior Leisure Manager (Aquatic Venues)
|
2601 8873 /
9195 1385
|
2. Chief Leisure Manager (Aquatic Venues)
|
2601 8083 /
9169 8306
|
3. District Leisure Manager (Tuen Mun)
|
2451 3102 /
9195 9170
|
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
|
Chief Health Inspector (Operations)1
|
2867 5657
|
Chief Health Inspector (Operations)3
|
2867 5644
|
Chief Health Inspector (Cleansing & Pest Control)1
|
2867 5290
|