A chemical plant wants to put sirens in the neighbourhood to warn of any possible scares.
Exchem Organics plans to install the sirens to attract everyone living within a 2.1-km radius of the Great Oakley plant.
Managers at the site, which also deals with explosives, assured residents there was little risk to the public.
However, they are required by recent Government law changes to place sirens in the community and are acting accordingly.
Jon Turner, safety manager at Exchem Organics, said talks had been going on for 18 months with emergency planners, including Tendring Council and Essex County Council.
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