GMB Demand Independent Investigation
Thursday, 22 July 2010
GMB DEMAND AN INDEPENDENT
INVESTIGATION INTO TOTAL'S SAFETY RECORD FOLLOWING RECENT FATAL
TRAGEDY AT LINDSAY OIL REFINERY (LOR) AND £6.2 MILLION FINE FOR
FAILING TO PROTECT WORKERS AND THE PUBLIC AT
BUNCEFIELD
GMB is demanding a full independent
safety investigation in to TOTAL's safety record and the condition
of the old process plant on Lindsay Oil Refinery (LOR) following
the recent fatal tragedy at the plant and the £6.2 million fine
TOTAL received after admitting failing to protect workers and the
public at the Buncefield site that exploded in 2005.
The recent explosion and fire at LOR
caused the death of 24 year old Rob Greenacre and serious injury to
two other workers in an explosion and subsequent fire there. The
Buncefield disaster endangered the public and site workers and
caused untold damage to property and business.
Phil Whitehurst, GMB Lead Organiser
said, "TOTAL have to be held to account over the
death of Rob Greenacre, who went to work one morning safe and sound
and was tragically killed whilst working on Total's property and
under their current Permit to Work system which should have
protected him and his colleagues from this type of incident. Two
others workers were injured as well which is also unacceptable in
such a safety controlled industry working with such volatile
substances.
The Lindsey Oil Refinery is
currently up for sale but the word on the site is that it will be
like trying to sell an old banger at a prestige car auction the
plant is so lacking in investment and potentially
dangerous."
Ends
Contact: Phil
Whitehurst, GMB Lead Organiser on 07968 338810 or GMB Press Office:
Rose Conroy on 07974 251823.