Compliance & Enforcement: Licensees: Reporting Publications

Report on Lime spill at Dubln Waste to Energy 7th June 2017

Incident at Dublin Waste to Energy 7th June 2017

Summary: EPA Report on the investigation of the Lime spill incident which occurred at the Dublin Waste to Energy Facility, Poolbeg on 7th June 2017.

Summary

Dublin Waste to Energy Limited (hereafter referred to as DWtE) commenced incineration of waste at their facility located at Pigeon House Road, Poolbeg, Dublin 4 on the 1st June 2017. An incident involving the release of lime occurred at the facility on the 7th June 2017 which resulted in ten contractors attending the Emergency Department at St. Vincent’s Hospital.

Based on its investigation of the incident, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that:

• ? The incident occurred because of inappropriately fitted door seals
• ? The quantity of lime released was 1-2 cubic meters
• ? There was no release of lime from the building
• ? There was no public health or environmental impact associated with the incident
• ? The lime was collected and disposed of off-site as hazardous waste, and
• ? DWtE made process modifications and improvements to the plant following the incident.

The EPA approved the recommencement of waste incineration at the site on 7th July. The EPA was satisfied with the corrective actions undertaken by DWTE and with their protocol for resuming operations. The Health and Safety Authority lifted its prohibition notice on the 3rd July.