Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Act 1906
1906 CHAPTER 14 6 Edw 7
An Act to consolidate and amend the Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Acts 1881 and 1892.
[4th August 1906]
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1This Act is not necessarily in the form in which it has effect in Northern Ireland
C2Act amended by S.I. 1990/1380, regs. 3, 4
Part IS+N.I. Alkali Works and Alkali Waste
1 Condensation of [F1hydrochloric] acid gas in alkali works.S+N.I.
(1)Every alkali work shall be carried on in such manner as to secure the condensation, to the satisfaction of the chief inspector, of the [F1hydrochloric] acid gas evolved in such work, to the extent of ninety-five per centum, and to such an extent that in each [F2cubic metre] of air, smoke, or chimney gases, escaping from the works into the atmosphere, there is not contained more than [F20.46 gram] of [F1hydrochloric] acid.
[F3(2) The owner of any alkali work which is carried on in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence.]
Textual Amendments
F1Word “hydrochloric” substituted for the word “muriatic” wherever it appears in the Act, by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 5(a)
F2Words substituted by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 6, Sch. 3
F3S. 1(2) substituted by Clean Air Act 1956 (c. 52), Sch. 2
2 Prevention of discharge of noxious and offensive gas in alkali works.S+N.I.
(1)In addition to the condensation of [F4hydrochloric] acid gas as aforesaid, the owner of every alkali work shall use the best practicable means for preventing the escape of noxious or offensive gases by the exit flue of any apparatus used in any process carried on in the work, and for preventing the discharge, whether directly or indirectly, of such gases into the atmosphere, and for rendering such gases where discharged harmless and inoffensive, subject to the qualification that, on the basis of the amount of acid gas per [F5cubic metre], no objection shall be taken under this section by an inspector to any [F4hydrochloric] acid gas in the air, smoke, or gases discharged into the atmosphere by a chimney or other final outlet where the amount of such acid gas in each [F5cubic metre] of air, smoke, or gases so discharged does not exceed the amount limited by the last preceding section.
[F6(2) If the owner of any alkali work fails, in the opinion of the court having cognizance of the matter, to use such means, he shall be guilty of an offence.]
Textual Amendments
F4Word “hydrochloric” substituted for the word “muriatic” wherever it appears in the Act, by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 5(a)
F5Words substituted by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 6, Sch. 3
F6S. 2(2) substituted by Clean Air Act 1956 (c. 52), Sch. 2
[F72A Relation to Environmental Protection Act 1990, Part I.U.K.
(1)The preceding provisions of this Part of this Act shall not apply to any process which is a prescribed process as from the date which is the determination date for that process.
(2)The “determination date” for a prescribed process is—
(a)in the case of a process for which an authorisation is granted, the date on which the enforcing authority grants it, whether in pursuance of the application or, on an appeal, of a direction to grant it;
(b)in the case of a process for which an authorisation is refused, the date of the refusal or, on an appeal, of the affirmation of the refusal.
(3)In this section “authorisation”, “enforcing authority” and “prescribed process” have the meaning given in section 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the reference to an appeal is a reference to an appeal under section 15 of that Act.]
Textual Amendments
F7S. 2A inserted (1.4.1991) by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 162(1), Sch. 15, para. 2; see s. 164(3) and S.I. 1991/1042, art.2
3—5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F8S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F8Ss. 3–5, 8 repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40), Sch. 4
Part IIS+N.I. Sulphuric Acid, [F9Hydrochloric] Acid, and other specified Works
Textual Amendments
F9Word “hydrochloric” substituted for the word “muriatic” wherever it appears in the Act, by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 5(a)
6—7.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F10S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F10Ss. 6, 7 repealed by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 7(1)(a)
8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F11S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F11Ss. 3–5, 8 repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40), Sch. 4
Part IIIS+N.I.
(i)S+N.I. Registration of Works
9 Registration of works, and stamp duty.S+N.I.
(1)An alkali work, [F12or any works specified in Schedule 1 to the Health and Safety (Emissions into the Atmosphere) Regulations 1983], . . . F13 shall not be carried on unless it is certified to be registered.
(2)The work shall be registered in a register containing the prescribed particulars, and the register shall be conducted and the certificates issued in the prescribed manner.
(3)(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F14
(5)A certificate of registration shall be issued on application being made in the prescribed manner by the owner of the work, if the conditions of registration are complied with, and one of the conditions, in the case of the first registration of [F15an alkali work or any works specified in Schedule 1 to the Health and Safety (Emissions into the Atmosphere) Regulations 1983], or the registration of such a work if the work has been closed for a period of twelve months previously, shall be that the work is at the time of registration furnished with such appliances as appear to the chief inspector or, on appeal, to [F16the Health and Safety Executive] to be necessary in order to enable the work to be carried on in accordance with such of the requirements of this Act [F17or of Part I of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974] as apply to the work.
Provided that [F16the Health and Safety Executive] may dispense with the last-mentioned condition in the case of works erected before the commencement of this Act which were not before the commencement of this Act required to be registered.
(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F18
(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F19
[F20(8)The owner of a work which has been carried on in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence.]
Textual Amendments
F12Words substituted by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 5(b)
F13Words repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40), Sch. 4
F14S. 9(3)(4) repealed by S.I. 1989/318, reg. 13(1)
F15Words substituted by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 5(c)(i)
F16Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1974/2170, Sch. 2 para. 2
F17Words inserted by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 5(c)(ii)
F18S. 9(6) repealed by Finance Act 1970 (c. 24), Sch. 8 Pt. IV
F19S. 9(7) repealed (except for the purposes of reg. 12(3) of S.I. 1989/318), by S.I. 1989/318, reg. 13(1)
F20S. 9(8) substituted by Clean Air Act 1956 (c. 52), s. 17(4), Sch. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C3S. 9(5) amended by S.I. 1987/180, regs. 4(1), 8
(ii)S+N.I. Inspection
10—12.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F21S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F21Ss. 10–12 repealed by S.I. 1974/2170, Sch. 1
13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F22S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F22S. 13 repealed by S.I. 1974/2170, reg. 3(a)
14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F23S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F23Ss. 14, 15 repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40), Sch. 4
(iii)S+N.I. Special Rules
15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F24S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F24Ss. 14, 15 repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40), Sch. 4
(iv)S+N.I. Procedure
16 Provision as to calculation of acid.S+N.I.
In calculating the proportion of acid to a [F25cubic metre] of air, smoke, or gases, for the purposes of this Act, such air, smoke, or gases shall be calculated at the temperature of [F2515 degrees Celsius], and at a barometric pressure of [F25one bar].
Textual Amendments
F25Words substituted by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 6, Sch. 3
16A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F26S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F26S. 16A repealed by S.I. 1974/2170, Sch. 1
17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F27S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F27S. 17 repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40), Sch. 4
18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F28S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F28S. 18 repealed by S.I. 1974/2170, Sch. 1
19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F29S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F29S. 19 repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40), Sch. 4
20, 21.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F30S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F30Ss. 20, 21 repealed by S.I. 1974/2170, Sch. 1
22 Complaint by sanitary authority in cases of nuisance.S+N.I.
(1)Where complaint is made to the central authority by any sanitary authority, on information given by any of their officers, or any ten inhabitants of their district, that any work to which this Act applies is carried on (either within or without the district) in contravention of this Act, . . . F31, and that a nuisance is occasioned thereby to any of the inhabitants of their district, the central authority shall make such inquiry into the matters complained of, and after the inquiry may direct such proceedings to be taken by an inspector, as they think fit and just.
(2)The sanitary authority complaining shall, if so required by the central authority, pay the expense of any such inquiry.
Textual Amendments
F31Words repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40), Sch. 4
23 Actions in case of contributory nuisance.S+N.I.
(1)Where a nuisance arising from the discharge of any noxious or offensive gas or gases is wholly or partially caused by the acts or defaults of the owners of several works to which any of the provisions of this Act applies, any person injured by such nuisance may proceed against any one or more of such owners, and may recover damages from each owner made a defendant in proportion to the extent of the contribution of that defendant to the nuisance, notwithstanding that the act or default of that defendant would not separately have caused a nuisance.
(2)This section shall not authorise the recovery of damages from any defendant who can produce a certificate from the chief inspector that in the works of that defendant the requirements of this Act have been complied with and were complied with when the nuisance arose.
(v)S+N.I. Miscellaneous
24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F32S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F32S. 24 repealed (E.W.) by Local Government Act 1933 (c. 51), Sch. 11 Pt. IV and London Government Act 1963 (c. 33), Sch. 18 Pt. II and (S.) Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947 (c. 43), Sch. 14
Yn ddilys o 01/04/1999
[F3324A Relation to Environmental Protection Act 1990, Part I.S+N.I.
(1)The preceding provisions of this Part of this Act shall not apply to any process which is a prescribed process as from the date which is the determination date for that process.
The “determination date” for a prescribed process is—
(a)in the case of a process for which an authorisation is granted, the date on which the enforcing authority grants it, whether in pursuance of the application or, on an appeal, of a direction to grant it;
(b)in the case of a process for which an authorisation is refused, the date of the refusal or, on an appeal, of the affirmation of the refusal.
(3)In this section “authorisation”, “enforcing authority” and “prescribed process” have the meaning given in section 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the reference to an appeal is a reference to an appeal under section 15 of that Act.]
Textual Amendments
F33S. 24A inserted (1.4.1991) by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 162(1), Sch. 15, para. 2; see s. 164 (3) and S.I. 1991/1042, art. 2
25 Determination of questions by chief inspector.S+N.I.
In determining any matter which under this Act is to be determined by the chief inspector, the chief inspector may found his opinion on facts disclosed by his own examination, or by an examination by any other inspector.
26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F34S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F34S. 26, Sch. 2 repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1927 (c. 42)
27 Interpretation of terms. S+N.I.
(1)In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
The expression “alkali work” means every work for—
(a)the manufacture of sulphate of soda or sulphate of potash, or
(b)the treatment of copper ores by common salt or other chlorides whereby any sulphate is formed,
in which [F35hydrochloric]acid gas is evolved:
[F36The expression “noxious or offensive gas” includes any substance set out in Schedule 2 to the Health and Safety (Emissions into the Atmosphere) Regulations 1983]
The expression “owner” includes any lessee, occupier, or any other person carrying on any work to which this Act applies;
The expression “best practicable means,” where used with respect to the prevention of the escape of noxious and offensive gases, has reference not only to the provision and the efficient maintenance of appliances adequate for preventing such escape, but also to the manner in which such appliances are used and to the proper supervision, by the owner, of any operation in which such gases are evolved:
The expression “prescribed” means prescribed by [F37the Secretary of State.]
. . . F38
The expression “central authority” means as regards England the [F37the Secretary of State] as regards Ireland the Local Government Board for Ireland, and as regards Scotland the Secretary for Scotland:
. . . F39
[F40The expression “the Public Health Act” means as regards England the M1Public Health Act 1875, . . . F41; and as regards Scotland the M2Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897; and as regards Ireland the M3Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878, and includes any enactment amending those Acts.]
[F42[F43The expression “inspector” means an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State under section 19 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974:]
The expression “chief inspector” in any provision of this Act means an inspector so appointed for the purposes of that provision.]
(2)Nothing in this Act shall be construed as exempting any work from any of the provisions of this Act applicable to the work as being a work of a certain class or description by reason only that the work is subject to other provisions of this Act as being a work of some other class or description.
Textual Amendments
F35Word “hydrochloric” substituted for the word “muriatic” wherever it appears in the Act, by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 5(a)
F36Definition substituted by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 5(d)
F37Words substituted by virtue of Ministry of Health Act 1919 (c. 21), s. 3(1)(a), Sch. 1 para. 1, S.I. 1951/142 (1951 I, p. 1348), arts. 3(1), 5(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I, 1951/1900 (1951 I, p. 1347), 1965/319 arts. 2(1), 10(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I and 1970/1681, arts. 2(1), 6(3)
F38Definition repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1927 (c. 42)
F39Definition repealed by Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 30
F40The definition of “the Public Health Act” as it applies to England and Wales, repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1989 (c. 43, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. XI
F41Words repealed by London Government Act 1963 (c. 33), Sch. 18 Pt. II
F42Definitions added by S.I. 1974/2170, Sch. 2 para. 1
F43Definition repealed and substituted by S.I. 1987/180 reg. 3(1)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C4Functions of Secretary for Scotland now exercisable by Secretary of State: Scottish Board of Health Act 1919 (c. 20), s. 4(1)(d); Reorganisation of Offices (Scotland) Act 1928 (c. 34), s. 1 and Reorganisation of Offices (Scotland) Act 1939 (c. 20), s. 1
Marginal Citations
28 Application to Scotland. S+N.I.
In the application of this Act to Scotland—
(a)references to the Secretary for Scotland shall be substituted for references to the Local Government Board, and references to the Edinburgh Gazette shall be substituted for references to the London Gazette;
(b)All offences under this Act shall be prosecuted and all fines under this Act shall be recovered under the provisions of [F44the M4Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975]: Provided that the following regulations shall have effect with respect to the prosecution of, and the recovery of fines for, offences under this Act, other than . . . F45 offences under subsection four of section twelve of this Act:—
(i)All prosecutions shall be brought before the sheriff, who may award expenses to either party, and, in default of immediate payment of the fine and expenses, may sentence the respondent to imprisonment for any period not exceeding six months;
(ii)A prosecution shall not be instituted without the consent of the Secretary for Scotland, nor by any person other than the chief inspector or such other inspector as the Secretary for Scotland may in any particular case direct, nor, expect as respects a fine for the contravention of the provisions of this Act as to the registration of works, after the expiration of three months from the commission of the offence;
(iii)The person taking proceedings shall be presumed to be an inspector authorised under this Act to institute the prosecution until the contrary is proved by the respondent;
(iv)The sheriff may, on the application of either party, appoint a person to take down in writing the evidence of the witnesses, and may award to that person such remuneration as he thinks just, and the amount so awarded shall be deemed to be expenses in the proceeding;
(v)All jurisdictions, powers, and authorities necessary for the purposes of this section are conferred on the sheriff;
(c) . . . F46
Textual Amendments
F44Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21), s. 460(2)
F45Words repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40), Sch. 4
F46S. 28(c) repealed by Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c. 40), Sch. 4
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C5Functions of Secretary for Scotland now exercisable by Secretary of State: Scottish Board of Health Act 1919 (c. 20), s. 4(1)(d); Reorganisation of Offices (Scotland) Act 1928 (c. 34), s. 1 and Reorganisation of Offices (Scotland) Act 1939 (c. 20), s. 1
Marginal Citations
29 Saving as to general law.S+N.I.
Nothing in this Act shall legalise any act or default that would, but for this Act, be deemed to be a nuisance, or otherwise be contrary to law, or deprive any person of any remedy by action, indictment, or otherwise, to which he would have been entitled if this Act had not passed.
30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F47S+N.I.
Textual Amendments
F47S. 30 repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1989 (c. 43), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. XI
31†Short title and commencement.S+N.I.
This Act may be cited as the Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Act 1906 . . . . F48
Textual Amendments
F48Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1927 (c. 42)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C6Unreliable marginal note
SCHEDULES
FIRST SCHEDULE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F49S+N.I.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F49Sch. 1 repealed (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1983/943, reg. 7(1)(a)
F50F50SECOND SCHEDULES+N.I.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F50S. 26, Sch. 2 repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1927 (c. 42)