Tata Steel has gone to court to stop a camera surveillance pilot at Cooking Gas Plant 2. The North Sea Canal Area Environmental Service (OD NZKG) launched this trial balloon to determine whether harmful substances were being emitted. The service says it looks forward to the summary proceedings with confidence.
The OD NZKG (1) announced the legal move by the steel manufacturer in a press statement.
The environmental service ensures that the quality of life around the North Sea Canal is not compromised. The service also issues permits to companies if they comply with European emission regulations. According to the service, the emission of substances of very high concern (ZZS) by Tata Steel's so-called 'raw kooks' - an error in the production process that releases hazardous substances - is harmful to people and the environment. Not for nothing do European regulations prohibit raw cooks.
The environmental service has repeatedly taken Tata Steel to task in the past for creating raw boils. In September 2022, the service imposed a fine on the steel manufacturer for the third time.
To make the living environment of the North Sea Canal area healthier, safer and more sustainable, the environmental service devised a pilot. By placing cameras at Cooking Gas Plant 2, it is possible to monitor 24/7 if and when hazardous substances are emitted by the steel producer. "Violations involving raw coke are usually highly visible during the day and primarily impact the air quality in the immediate area," the environmental service said.
Before starting the experiment, the environmental department had the camera surveillance legally tested. The feasibility study revealed that it is possible to use camera images when carrying out surveillance and enforcement. Moreover, the experiment is carried out within the frameworks provided by the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG). This ensures the privacy (2) of employees and visitors.
To make sure that no persons will be recognizable in the picture, the camera is located about 450 meters from the cooking gas plant. As a precaution, a privacy block is also applied. This means that a black rectangle is projected over part of the camera images. As a result, the lower part of the plant is invisible.
For Tata Steel, the precautions are insufficient and the company wants OD NZKG to stop the pilot immediately. To make that happen, the steelmaker has filed summary proceedings against the environmental agency. "Employees must be able to continue doing their work properly and safely without having to worry about camera surveillance," said a spokeswoman for the steel plant. She tells NRC (3) that she has also filed a report about the camera surveillance with the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens.
The service is confident that it has done everything possible to ensure privacy and is looking forward to the hearing with confidence. Summary judgment is scheduled for Friday, April 21.
odnzkg.co.uk/short-court-camera-supervision/
https://www.vpngids.nl/privacy/
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/03/28/tata-steel-begint-kort-geding-vanwege-cameratoezicht-op-fabriek-a4160632
