Pembroke Chevron refinery blast: Inquiry after four die

HazardEx 3 June 2011

Greg Hanggi, refinery general manager, said: "The loss of our co-workers has come as a huge shock to us all. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to their families. We will ensure that all employees and contractors are fully supported throughout this difficult time."

He added that Chevron would take every step possible to determine the series of events leading to the tragic incident and ensure that any lessons learnt from it would be learned. Mr Hanggi also paid tribute to the emergency services who attended

There have been previous incidents at the refinery.

In June 2001 a fire was caused by a hydrogen leak, with smoke seen by eyewitnesses rising hundreds of feet into the air. No-one was injured.

In March 2003 there was a fire in a specialist catalytic cracking unit, and in September that year two people were taken to hospital after fire in a steam plant.

However Simon Hart, Conservative MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, praised the plant's safety record.

"It's a really important business but it is a dangerous one and it's had a fantastic safety record," he said.

"Credit where credit's due, it's had a long a good record.

"I don't think we should go around dishing out blame until the investigation is over."