SA Safety provides specialist confined space rescue team support at high-risk sites. We ensure a safe system of work in complex industrial environments where risk levels are elevated and conditions can change rapidly.
Rescue Team Support at Wessex Water's Avonmouth site
SA Safety is providing an on-site rescue team at a key Wessex Water facility in Avonmouth, Bristol. Our team is supporting critical refurbishment works in a high-risk operational environment at the site’s anaerobic digester.
The team is maintaining a safe system of work throughout the project, from initial preparatory cleaning through to the refurbishment phase itself.
Maintaining a Safe System of Work at a COMAH Site
The Avonmouth facility is a key bioresources centre and was the first in the UK to supply biogas generated from sewage and food waste directly to the national gas grid.
At the heart of the process is the anaerobic digester, which produces methane-rich biogas that is refined into biomethane for energy use. This includes fuel for Wessex Water’s own operational vehicles, including sludge transport tankers, thus creating a “closed-loop” system that reduces emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
Due to the processes and materials on site, Avonmouth is classified under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 and is also subject to the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.
These are stringent UK safety frameworks governing hazardous substances and high-risk environments. DSEAR focuses on preventing fires and explosions arising from dangerous substances, while COMAH applies to high-hazard sites, with an emphasis on preventing major incidents and limiting their impact on people and the environment.
Why a Specialist Rescue Team Is Required
Alongside the inherent hazards of working in confined spaces, the Avonmouth site presents significant additional operational risks requiring robust control measures and specialist support.
Identified risks at the Avonmouth site include:
- Methane-rich atmospheres
- Risk of explosion
- Toxic gas exposure
- Complex confined space entry
The COMAH designation reflects the need for comprehensive systems to prevent major incidents, minimise risk to personnel, and limit environmental impact.
A specialist rescue team is trained, equipped, and prepared to operate safely in these high-risk conditions, supporting the implementation and maintenance of compliant systems of work.
In addition to comprehensive training and ongoing CPD, SA Safety’s rescue teams are fully equipped for hazardous environments. All of our equipment is ATEX-rated for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, reducing the risk of ignition.
Our Role in Supporting Safe Operations at Avonmouth
The SA Safety Rescue Team is providing specialist on-site support throughout the cleaning, inspection, and maintenance work at Avonmouth, helping to ensure compliance with UK safety legislation.
Our focus is on protecting the workforce by supporting safe entry into confined spaces, monitoring conditions, and reinforcing safe systems of work, including permit-to-work processes.
Working alongside site teams, our Rescue Team members help manage dynamic risks as conditions change. Should an incident occur, our trained personnel are ready to respond immediately, significantly reducing risk during critical operations.
If you’re planning high-risk works or need support with confined space operations, our team can help.
Get in touch to discuss your requirements
