Security matters within BCGA are covered by committee TSC10. For BCGA members, if you are interested in the work of TSC10 please make contact through the BCGA Office.
Gases are classified as dangerous goods within transport legislation or hazardous substances and mixtures within the GB CLP Regulation. Gases have properties which make them attractive to thieves and terrorists, as well as hazardous properties which mean that they should not be accessible to those who are not competent to handle them.
The gases industry bears a great responsibility to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the products they manufacture, transport and supply, do not fall into the wrong hands. Gaseous products shall only be offered to people, companies or organisations that have been appropriately identified.
Security can be defined as taking measures or precautions to manage access to gases for those authorised, whilst minimising the opportunity for theft or misuse that may endanger persons, property or the environment.
The level of security, required for a specific facility, shall be determined through a security vulnerability risk assessment (SVRA). BCGA provide advice on security, including on the topic of conducting a SVRA, within BCGA CP 40, Security requirements for the industrial, medical and food gases industry.
BCGA TIS 47, Manned security guarding, provides guidance on the employment and use of security guards.
The UK National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) provides security advice and encourages businesses and individuals to report suspicious activities and transactions involving dangerous goods. They provide a range of security publications, including a security poster ‘Know your customer’. NaCTSO publish the action counters terrorism (ACT) awareness eLearning training package, which is designed for all UK based companies and organisations and is available to the public. All personnel should be encouraged to undertake the course.
Security should be an integral part of a company’s business continuity management process. Business continuity planning helps manage any risks likely to effect the smooth running of an organisation or delivery of a service, ensuring continuity of critical functions in the event of a disruption, and effective recovery afterwards. The Cabinet Office provide additional advice.
BCGA are members of the Cross-sector Safety and Security Communications group (CSSC) – which is a partnership between law enforcement agencies, local and national government organisations and private sector businesses and acts as an interface to provide UK national communications between the public and private sectors. BCGA receives safety and security alerts from the CSSC which are disseminated to members.
The Department for Transport (DfT), as the UK Competent Authority for transportable pressure equipment, host and manage the Industry Advisory Group meeting for the Secure Carriage of Dangerous Goods. BCGA routinely attend this meeting on behalf of their members.
For road transport The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations implement the Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). Road security requirements are detailed in ADR, Chapter 1.10. A subset of dangerous goods are classified as High Consequence Dangerous Goods (HCDG). If misused, these have the potential to produce serious consequences such as mass casualties or mass destruction. Some gases are classified as HCDG. If you are responsible for HCDG then you have to adopt, implement and comply with a security plan. All persons involved in the carriage of dangerous goods have to take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised access to those dangerous goods.
Security awareness training is mandatory for everybody associated with dangerous goods and is to be appropriate to the person’s responsibilities and duties as well as to the loads to be carried. Initial training and regular refresher training is necessary. Security training has to be recorded and records kept.
DfT provide guidance documents for managing security and a training film on the security of high consequence dangerous goods, titled ‘Lockdown’. Available on request from DfT [dangerousgoods@dft.gov.uk]. A summary can be viewed on the film-makers website.
Each driver shall carry a means of photographic identification.
Each driver should carry a Dangerous Load Card.
NOTE: Drivers of dangerous goods vehicles are required to undergo appropriate driver training for each class of dangerous goods they transport. Provided they pass the examination they will be issued with an ADR Driver Training Certificate. This is issued as a photo card and is an acceptable form of photographic identification.
DfT operate a Dangerous Goods Security Compliance Team. Their role is to undertake security audits on sites where HCDG are stored. They will carry out checks, both physical and on documentation, to ensure your security plans are in place, are being applied and are affective.
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) is increasing for both leisure and commercial purposes. Unmanned aerial vehicles should not be used at, or on any sites, unless prior approval has been given by the site owner or operator for a legitimate purpose and only after an appropriate risk assessment has been completed.
Medical gases can be particularly attractive to thieves, for their use as ‘recreational drugs’ as well as the financial value to be gained from the sale of the contents and the value of the scrap metal. All facilities where medical gases are stored or in use must have appropriate security in place, BCGA TIS 50 provides advice. The National Health Service (NHS) produce a guidance document, Guidance on the security and storage of medical gas cylinders.
Personnel security measures help organisations manage the risk of staff or contractors exploiting their legitimate access to their premises, information and staff for unauthorised purposes.
Personnel security is not just an issue to be resolved during the recruitment process, it is a discipline that needs to be maintained throughout a member of staff’s time in employment: through appraisal procedures, communication programmes, incentive schemes and even management attitudes and relationships. It should include a formal process for managing staff leaving the business. Companies are advised to carry out suitable assessments and checks on all the people they employ.
The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) has a number of useful documents on its website.
DfT has the lead for ensuring the cyber security and resilience of the UK’s transport IT systems. A cyber risk is a situation or event occurring in cyber space that threatens or causes serious damage, cost, intellectual property theft, disruption or loss of reputation with an impact felt in either cyber space or the real world e.g. hacking into websites or control systems. Individual companies should ensure their IT systems are suitably protected.
Gas cylinders do get misused for various activities by criminals. When cylinders are found at a crime scene it is in everyone’s interest to ensure that they are managed and handled safely by the emergency forces with, as required, appropriate advice being provided by the gas suppliers. BCGA TIS 40, Gas cylinders at crime scenes, provides useful advice.
This document addresses the issues surrounding the security of industrial, medical and food gases (including in liquefied form) and associated items held in bulk, as cylinder stock or in transport. It provides advice on implementing security as well as reacting to security incidents.
Go To Download PageAddresses the safety concerns for personnel at a crime scene where gas cylinders are present, and which may have also been used during the crime. It provides advice on staying safe when approaching and handling gas cylinders, as well as points of contact with industry experts. It will be of particular interest to Police and other law enforcement agencies.
Go To Download PageMany members employ the services of security guards to protect their sites, assets and people. This publication provides guidance on the selection and operational use of security guards and security services as well the responsibilities of those involved in the management of security guards.
Go To Download PageGas cylinders and associated equipment require safe and secure storage. Provides guidance to enhance security where cages are used to store gas equipment.
Go To Download PageProvides advice on the management of security at facilities where a medical gas may be present. It is intended for those in management control of such facilities.
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