30th April 2008
Press Release
For Immediate Publication
UKPIA Process Safety Leadership Commitment Statement
At the HSE safety conference, ‘Leading from the top’(2), aimed at chief executives of major hazards industries, held on 29th April in London, Director General Chris Hunt officially launched the UKPIA Process Safety Leadership Commitment statement signed by all nine member companies.
Chris Hunt commented “UKPIA and its members recognise the critical importance of Process Safety for all operators in the downstream oil sector. A strong performance in this area is key to protecting people and the environment, preventing uncontrolled releases of hazardous materials, and minimising the impact should a release occur. "
He continued “Safety will continue to be the number 1 priority of our members both within their individual operations and at a sector level within the trade association. We will place additional emphasis on Process Safety to ensure that the sector becomes a leader in process safety excellence, building upon the work already done by the Buncefield Standards Task Force (3) and its successor the Process Safety Leadership Group(4) , chaired by Tony Traynor of INEOS”
Ends
Enquiries: UKPIA Nick Vandervell, 0207 269 7604 or
Chris Hunt, 0207 269 7601
Photographs of Chris Hunt and Judith Hackitt launching the Commitment Statement are available by email request to info@ukpia.com
Notes to editors:
1. UKPIA represents nine oil refining and marketing companies operating in the UK, which also own approximately 2,152 of the UK's 9,271 service stations, and own and operate the nine major crude oil processing refineries in the UK.
2. The 'Leading from the top- avoiding major incidents' conference took place at the QEII Centre on 29 April 2008. S peakers at the conference were Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Health & Safety Executive, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell; Minister for Energy, Malcolm Wickes; Bill Coley, CEO-British Energy Group; Jeremy Bending, Director-Network Strategy at National Grid; Steve Flynn Vice-President HSSE- BP Group Safety and Operations.
3. The joint industry/Competent Authority Buncefield Standards Task Group was established in June 2006 in the aftermath of the explosion and fire at the Hertfordshire Oil Storage Buncefield terminal in December 2005, to make recommendations to enhance safety and environmental standards at major petroleum storage facilities. It published its final report and recommendations in July 2007.
4. The Petrochemical Process Safety Leadership Group includes representatives from:
· UK Petroleum Industry Association
· Chemical Industries Association
· Tank Storage Association
· UK Onshore Pipelines Operators’ Association
· Competent Authority
· Trades Unions
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