Saturday 2 June 2012

Chevron refinery disaster anniversary marked by "scarred" town

Wales Online 2 June 2012

On June 2, 2011 the harsh realities of the oil industry were "starkly observed by people across Wales" as four members of the tight-knit community of Milford Haven lost their lives in Britain's worst refinery disaster for almost four decades.

However, we are still "no closed to learning why a 730 cubic metre storage tank at the Valero (formerly Chevron) oil plant in Rhoscrowther exploded with such devastating effect."

Villagers in nearby Angle and beyond can still vividly remember the bang and the sweeping expanse of thick, black smoke which engulfed everything in its path 12 months ago.

Rob Noble from the Old Point House pub said: “It’s something that anyone who saw or heard it will never forget. The noise actually shook the windows of the pub.”

In Milford Haven resident Jane Philpott can still smell the burning black smog.

“Everyone here will tell you the same,” she said. “The awful stench rising up into the air, and the realisation that nobody near the blast could have survived it.

Tuesday 29 May 2012

hevron employees questioned over negligence after Pembrokeshire refinery disaster

Wales Online 28 May 2012

Two employees of global oil giant Chevron have been interviewed in relation to offences of gross negligence manslaughter following an explosion at a Pembrokeshire oil refinery which killed four people, police announced today

This Saturday will mark exactly one year since the blast at the Valero (formerly Chevron) oil plant in Rhoscrowther.

An investigation in to the cause of the explosion, which occurred in a 730 cubic metre storage tank, is ongoing and is being conducted by Dyfed-Powys Police and also a dedicated team at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Dyfed-Powys Police said in a statement today: “As the investigation has progressed, two individuals employed by Chevron have been interviewed under caution in relation to offences of gross negligence manslaughter.
“This has taken place as part of the wider investigation therefore no conclusions should be drawn at this stage. In addition, inquiries have been made with in excess of 1,800 potential witnesses with over 200 providing statements to date.

“Due to the complex nature of the inquiry, additional detailed investigative work continues to be undertaken by specialist staff from the Health and Safety Laboratory. The investigation is also being supported by specialist lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service and HSE.”

Friday 10 February 2012

Police considering manslaughter charges over Chevron refinery deaths

<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-16949100">BBC</a>, <a href="http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/9518876.Police_considering_manslaughter_charges_over_Chevron_refinery_deaths/">Western Telegraph</a> and <a herf="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/02/08/chevron-oild-refinery-bosses-could-face-manslaughter-charges-after-four-deaths-91466-30289716/">Wales Online</a> all reporting 8 February 2012


Two employees of Valero Energy Limited - the company that now operates the refinery - have been interviewed under caution in relation to the investigation.

A police spokesman said: "Dyfed Powys Police can confirm that on Tuesday February 7th 2012 they interviewed a second employee of Valero Energy Limited under caution at Haverfordwest Police Station in connection with the explosion at the Refinery in Pembroke, which occurred on the 2nd of June 2011 killing four workers and seriously injuring one other.

"This person was interviewed in relation to potential offences of Manslaughter by Gross Negligence. This is the second person interviewed under caution during this enquiry, the first employee of Valero Energy Limited, also interviewed in relation to potential offences of Manslaughter by Gross Negligence on the 24th of January 2012.
The spokesman added: "This development is very much part of the continuing joint police and HSE investigation which is of an extremely complex nature, and no conclusions should be drawn from it at this stage."

Responding to the development, a Valero spokesman said: "As this refers to an ongoing investigation by the Health & Safety Executive and Dyfed-Powys Police, Valero Energy Ltd can offer no further comment on the explosion at Pembroke Refinery on 2 June 2011, when it was owned and operated by Chevron Limited.
"Both Valero and Chevron continue to provide their full co-operation to the police and HSE in their investigation."

Tuesday 30 August 2011

HSE Statement

Taken from HSE website 30 August 2011

Explosion and Fire: Chevron Pembroke Refinery, 2 June 2011
Reminder of the Risks and Precautions Associated with Tank Cleaning Operations

by Ron De Cort. Head of Operations, Wales and West of England, Hazardous Installations Directorate, HSE

Following the incident at the Chevron Pembroke Refinery on 2nd June HSE, on behalf of the COMAH Competent Authority, would like to remind site operators of the dangers associated with this type of operation and of the guidance available to ensure the work is undertaken safety.

Tank cleaning operations were in progress within the amine recovery unit at the refinery site when there was an explosion and subsequent fire. The incident led to the death of four people and serious injuries were sustained by another person. The joint police and COMAH Competent Authority investigation team is working to establish the cause of the incident.

The risks associated with tank cleaning are widely recognised in the major hazard industries and there are well established control measures. These are outlined in:

Safe maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures, Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance, L137, HSE.
Guidance on permit-to-work systems: A guide for the petroleum, chemical and allied industries, HS(G)250, HSE, and
Code of Safe Practice Part 16 - Tank Cleaning Safety Code.Energy Institute, 20085

Site operators should review their arrangements for cleaning tanks that contain hazardous substances and ensure that they meet current good practice.
Notes

The refinery is a top tier establishment under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (as amended). The Environment Agency (EA) in England and Wales, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are jointly responsible (as the Competent Authority) for regulating major hazardous industrial sites in the UK under the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1999 (COMAH).

COMAH requires operators of major hazard sites subject to the Regulations to take all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and limit their consequences to persons and the environment. Operators of top tier COMAH sites are also required to submit written safety reports to the Competent Authority; and to prepare emergency plans to deal with the consequences of a major accident. Operators and others (including contractors, designers and suppliers) also have relevant duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and under other environmental legislation to protect land, air and water, including the Water Resources Act 1991.

The incident occurred on Thursday 2 June and is under investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police and HSE. The Police currently have primacy in accordance with the Work Related Deaths Protocol.

Friday 5 August 2011

Pembroke Chevron oil refinery blast victim's son speaks

BBC Website 5 August 2011

The son of one of four people killed in the Chevron refinery explosion in Pembrokeshire has told how he could also have been a victim of the blast.

He said his father was working overtime on the evening he was killed.

"They wanted the tank cleaned by the next morning. It was just routine, a routine clearance of the tank.

The family texted and rang Mr Riley as soon as the alert was declared but there no answer.

In the early hours of the following morning, Chevron rang to say Dennis Riley was among those missing, he said.

Mr Riley said he would remember his father as a devoted family man, who called round after work every evening to sit with his grandchildren.

Friday 24 June 2011

Refinery blast investigation a long process

Tenby Observer 24 June 2011


Dyfed Powys Police together with the Health and Safety Executive continue their joint investigation into the incident at Chevron Refinery, Pembroke, on June 2., to establish the cause of the fatal explosion and fire.
Extensive examinations have been undertaken at the scene of the incident by forensic and technical experts with a view of establishing the chain of events that culminated in the explosion and fire where four people tragically lost their lives. The investigation is expected to take a number of months.

The investigation will be a thorough and meticulous process and the investigation team remain on site gathering evidence, interviewing and speaking to people who may be able to help the investigation.
Where there are lessons to be learnt by the industry relating to safety issues they will be shared at the appropriate time .

Specially trained officers from Dyfed Powys Police continue to support the families of the deceased and injured.

Detective Superintendent Simon Powell, who is leading the joint investigation team, said: “As our joint Police and HSE investigation continues into the explosion at Chevron on June 2, we are committed to finding out exactly what caused the explosion and why it happened.

“As part of the investigation we are using many forensic and technical experts to build a picture of what occurred and we are in the process of speaking to many witnesses.

“The families have asked that the media respect their privacy over the coming weeks and particularly during the funerals of their loved ones. They are grateful for the support they have received from the community and further afield, but now they wish to hold their funerals out of the glare of the media.”

Friday 17 June 2011

Organisation urges safety following Chevron incident

Tank Storage magazine 17 June 2011


Hazardous Installations Directorate’s head of operations, Ron De Cort, has now released a reminder to all companies working in the field about the dangers of tank cleaning.

The memo urges workers to reacquaint themselves with the risks associated with tank cleaning and the established control measures. To do so, it recommends reading:

·         Safe maintenance, repair and cleaning procedures, Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance, L137, HSE.

·         Guidance on permit-to-work systems: A guide for the petroleum, chemical and allied industries, HS(G)250, HSE, and

·         Code of Safe Practice Part 16 - Tank Cleaning Safety Code.Energy Institute, 2008

It also urges tank operators to make sure they review their arrangements for cleaning tanks that contain hazardous substances and make sure their practices are up-to-date.