A Staffordshire University hazard expert has joined a special UK Government watchdog group

His appointment follows specialist research carried out by Gordon, including the mapping of explosive and fireworks stores across the UK in relation to family homes - a project which took on particular significance following last year's pyrotechnic disaster in Holland killing 20 people.

This expert committee on which Gordon now sits advises the Health and Safety Commission on the development of policy and legislation related to the risks of major accidents at industrial sites storing toxic and hazardous materials, the storage and use of explosives and aspects of gas safety.

The committee consists of representatives of Government departments, industry, trade unions and local authorities, along with independent members with particular expertise to bring to policy discussions.

This prestigious appointment reflects the expertise developed by Gordon in a series of research projects carried out for the Health and Safety Executive. These projects have examined:

"� how members of the public perceive the risks from hazardous industrial sites "� how communication with the public about risks should take place "� how the land use planning system can be used to keep some degree of separation between risky installations and populated or environmentally sensitive areas.

The most recently completed project - carried out jointly with John Fairburn, also in the University's Geography department - has examined the impact of proposed changes to legislation requiring separation distances to be maintained between explosives stores and nearby housing developments.

The research involved surveying local authorities and mapping the locations of a sample of explosives and fireworks stores across the country.

This work took on a particular urgency after the disaster at the fireworks warehouse in Enschede in the Netherlands which killed over 20 people, injured 560 and destroyed 400 homes.

Gordon added: "The appointment of a geographer to a committee focusing on dangerous substances may seem a little unusual, but it reflects the far broader view now being taken of the issues involved in regulating risks and hazards.

"After the BSE and GMO controversies and the reaction to recent rail accidents and flooding, the Government and its agencies have realised that far more consideration needs to be given to complex ways in which people perceive different forms of risks and the various spatial and social factors which make particular communities and individuals vulnerable to harm.

"The remit of the committee covers some very important potential threats to ordinary people and the environment. Major accidents fortunately do not happen very often, but when they do they can have a devastating impact on local communities and the environment."

Staffordshire University

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A Staffordshire University hazard expert has joined a special UK Government watchdog group

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