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9th May 2006
BUNCEFIELD STORAGE TERMINAL – PROGRESS REPORT
Commenting on the Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board’s 3rd Progress Report issued today, Chris Hunt, Director General of UKPIA, the trade association representing the main oil refining and marketing companies in the UK, said
“ The downstream oil industry is committed to operating in a manner that safeguards its employees and local communities. UKPIA and its member companies have been working with the HSE in its investigation and today’s report is another step forward in understanding exactly how the incident occurred. Something on this scale has never happened before in the UK oil distribution industry and we will be working with the regulators so that any lessons are applied throughout the industry to ensure such an event does not happen again”.
He continued “ The industry is already taking action, and has been working with the HSE in its review of COMAH oil storage sites, looking at plant design and operations, management systems, staff training and appropriate incident response measures. We have also been working with the HSE to establish a pan-industry Task Group which will be examining further measures that can be taken to ensure that changes are incorporated into codes of good practice and operational guidance.”
UKPIA will continue to promote the sharing of best practice and learning within the industry and with regulatory organisations through its own Working Groups.
Enquires to:
Nick Vandervell : Tel. 0207 632 9880
Chris Hunt : Tel. 020 7240 0289
Notes to editors:
1. UKPIA represents the nine oil refining and marketing companies operating in the UK, which also own approximately 2,500 of the UK's 9,764 service stations.
2. UKPIA members own and operate the nine crude oil refineries in the UK.
3. The main process safety regulation of refineries and terminals in the UK is the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations 1999. Refineries and larger oil storage terminals like Buncefield are categorised as top tier sites. These regulations require all such sites to have a major accident prevention plan and, in addition, top tier sites must produce a safety report to show that risks have been systematically reviewed and controlled, and necessary measures taken.
4. The Hertfordshire Oil Storage facility at Buncefield was the fifth largest storage/distribution terminal in the UK and handled refined petroleum products that included petrol, diesel, jet fuel and heating fuel.
5. The Buncefield Major Incident Investigation, led by Taf Powell, was set up by the HSE to investigate the explosion and fire at HOSL Buncefield on 11th December 2005 and its work is being overseen by a six-person Major Incident Investigation Board appointed by the Health and Safety Commission.
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