Environmental incidents and emissions
As part of our management systems we record incidents (occurrences noted by our own staff which may or may not have led to a complaint) and complaints (arising from external sources).
The number of incidents fell from 292 to 233 but complaints rose from 191 to 214. Dust was again the most common cause of complaints and a single incident at Ribblesdale cement works following an escape of dust resulted in a large number of complaints. All complaints were acted on quickly with investigation and actions.
Dealing with environmental incidents is included in our specialist IEMA training programme for managers (see employment and skills).
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Incidents, complaints and prosecutions
Incidents, complaints and prosecutions
2010 (baseline)
2014
2015
2016
Incidents
167
233
292
233
Complaints
286
175
191
214
Prosecutions
1
0
1
0
Target: 10 per cent year-on-year reduction in complaints based on 2010 figures.
Emissions from cement production
Emissions of dust, sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from our three cement plants were all down on 2015 and are well below the industry targets set in 2015. SO2 emissions are related to the presence of volatile sulphur compounds found in the quarried raw materials, so vary depending upon the part of the quarry that is being used.
A £15 million investment programme which began in the second half of the year and will continue into 2017 will help reduce dust emissions from our plants to well below existing and future statutory levels. We publish annual reports of cement plant emissions on our website at www.hanson.co.uk.
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Cement specific emissions - kilogrammes per tonne
Cement specific emissions - kgs per tonne
2010 (baseline)
2014
2015
2016
MPA Cement 2015 targets
Dust to air
0.11
0.11
0.11
0.10
0.1
NOx to air
1.29
1.22
1.20
1.13
2.0
SO2 to air
0.17
0.17
0.21
0.14
1.1