Purpose of this neighbour notice
This neighbour notice has been prepared to inform neighbours and nearby businesses about MHSERVICE AS's activities at Osholmen in Ålesund: which hazards may be relevant, how alerting takes place and what you should do in a serious incident.
MHSERVICE AS is covered by the Major Accidents Regulations (storulykkeforskriften), and the required notification/reporting has been submitted to the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB).
- Company
- MHSERVICE AS
- Visiting address
- Osholmen 19, 6006 Ålesund
- Duty phone
- +47 70 10 12 70 – answered around the clock
- Website
- www.mhservice.no
What is a major accident?
A major accident is a sudden event, for example a large spill, fire or explosion, that may cause serious injury, loss of life, serious harm to the environment or major material damage.
Activity at the facility
MHSERVICE receives, stores and delivers fuel. The company stores and sells diesel, petrol, lubricating oil and supplies.
What is stored at Osholmen?
- Up to approx. 5.5 million litres of diesel products across five tanks: marine gas oil and dyed off-road/construction diesel.
- Petrol tank by the sea, up to approx. 20,000 litres.
- Lubricating oil and supplies in smaller quantities.
Key hazard properties
- Diesel and marine gas oil are flammable liquids. Spills are particularly harmful to the environment and can create slippery surfaces/pollution.
- Petrol and fuel vapour are highly flammable and can be ignited by sparks, open flame or hot surfaces.
- Fire in diesel, petrol and other oil products can produce dense and harmful smoke. Stay away from the smoke. If you are outdoors, move away from the smoke, preferably crosswise to the wind direction.
Do you see a diesel film or smell strong diesel?
- Keep your distance from the spill and the shoreline/quay area.
- Avoid open flame, smoking and other ignition sources.
- Contact MHSERVICE: +47 70 10 12 70. Call 110 in an acute emergency.
In case of smoke or a strong fuel smell
- Move away from the area if you are outside, preferably crosswise to the wind direction.
- Close windows, doors and ventilation if you are told to stay indoors.
- Follow instructions from the police, fire service and rescue services.
Which accidents can occur?
Relevant events are mainly related to fuel and activity at the quay/tanks/dispensing.
- Oil/diesel spills from tanks, pipes, filling or delivery. This is primarily an environmental hazard, but can also pose a fire hazard if ignited.
- Fire in a building, equipment, vehicle or timber, with a risk of spreading to oil-based products.
- Explosion hazard can arise from the ignition of flammable fuel vapour. Keep your distance and follow instructions from the emergency services.
Emergency preparedness and safety measures
The facility has been risk-assessed, and routines have been established for the receipt, storage, filling and dispensing of products. The tank facility has a containment sump to limit spills.
- The duty phone is answered around the clock.
- MHSERVICE alerts and cooperates with the fire service, police and other relevant authorities in the event of an accident.
- Emergency plans, alerting routines and contact lists are checked and exercised regularly.
- Information and documentation under the Major Accidents Regulations is updated when relevant changes occur.
Alerting and evacuation
Alerting routines depend on the nature and scale of the incident. In the event of a major accident, MHSERVICE alerts the emergency services. The police and fire service assess further alerting of neighbours and businesses and lead any evacuation.
Alerting may take place via MHSERVICE, the emergency services or public alert channels, for example a direct message in the area, telephone/SMS/public emergency alert (Nødvarsel), radio/NRK P1 or other local notification.
When you receive an alert
- Read or listen to the whole message before you act.
- Follow instructions from the police, fire service and rescue services.
- Do not go to the facility to see what is happening.
- Stay available for further messages. Help neighbours who may need assistance.
In case of evacuation
- Only evacuate when told to, or if you are in immediate danger.
- Bring necessary medication, phone and keys if it is safe to do so.
- Walk/drive away from smoke or a strong fuel smell. Use a safe direction indicated by the emergency services.
- Assembly point and route will be given by the police/emergency services if needed.
What do I do in a major accident?
- Stay away from the facility and any area with smoke or a strong fuel smell.
- Follow instructions from the police, fire service and other emergency services.
- If told to stay indoors: close windows, doors and ventilation.
- In an evacuation: follow the specified route and assembly point.
- Call 110 in an acute emergency if the emergency services have not already been alerted.
- Help people nearby who need assistance, if this can be done without putting yourself at risk.
In case of fire or smoke towards buildings
- Close windows, doors and vents.
- Stay indoors unless another message has been given.
- Listen to NRK P1/NRK Møre og Romsdal and follow information from the police.
In case of a spill or diesel smell
- Keep your distance and avoid contact with the liquid.
- Do not use open flame, smoke or other ignition sources.
- Alert MHSERVICE: +47 70 10 12 70. Call 110 in an acute emergency.
The public must follow instructions from the emergency services in the event of an accident.
More information
Updated information about the company is available on MHSERVICE's digital channels, mhservice.no. Public information about the supervision of major-accident establishments can be obtained from the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB).