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2 December 2005 - HSE Report on Explosion
at Humber Refinery
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have published their
investigative report on the ConocoPhillips Limited Humber Refinery major
explosion, which occurred in April, 2001.
The fire and explosion at the refinery could have been
catastrophic were it not for the fact that it was a bank holiday and shift
change at the time of the explosion when very few people were on site.
The incident occurred when 170 tonnes of extremely highly
inflammable Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) was released from the plant at North
Lincolnshire, caused by the failure of a pipe. A gas cloud
developed, ignited and created a massive explosion, causing other pipework
failures. This in turn, resulted in further fires with widespread
damage to surrounding buildings.
The report is aimed at all COMAH sites, including safety
professionals, Union Representatives and anyone involved in major hazard
industries.
The joint investigation into the explosion was led by the HSE,
with the Environment Agency, with the key message to oil refineries as follows:
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Effective pipework inspection systems are essential major
accident prevention measures for high-hazard pipework. Decisions on
inspection intervals must be informed by suitable and sufficient information on
process conditions and previous inspection findings.
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Systematic and thorough arrangements are necessary for the
effective management of corrosion. Such arrangements should ensure that any
information on relevant corrosion degradation mechanisms is identified and acted
on. Sufficient resources, including relevant expertise, should be applied to
ensure that adequate standards are achieved and maintained.
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Effective communication is an important element of any safety
management system. Accurate recording and effective sharing of information and
data relevant to plant corrosion is essential for major accident prevention.
Kevin Allars, Head of HSE's Hazardous Installations Chemical Industries
Division, announcing the report said:
"The fire and explosion at the Humber refinery was a very serious event
and could have been catastrophic. It shows the potential harm that arises from
major hazard plant. Our investigation revealed that as well as failing to
inspect pipework at its site adequately, the company's management had not
correctly analysed the effects of an operating change, nor recorded it. This
led to operators, inspection and monitoring staff not having a common
understanding of the actual operating arrangements at the plant.
"The report seeks to reassure the public that a thorough and detailed
investigation into the cause of the incident has been carried out by all
parties concerned. It also demonstrates that a number of lessons have been
learned, both by ConocoPhillips and by the regulators, and actions have been
taken to improve safety performance at the refinery complex.
"Although the report is primarily aimed at operators of COMAH sites who
are asked to carefully consider its contents, it should also be viewed by a
wider audience, including safety professionals and trade union representatives
involved in major hazard industries."
ConocoPhillips Limited plead guilty to breaches of sections 2 and 3 of the
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 on 16 December 2004, at Grimsby Crown
Court and was, on 29 June 2005, at Grimsby Crown Court, fined (also included
fines for other matters at a separate incident) a total of £895,000 and ordered
to pay costs of £218,854.
The full report can be obtained from the HSE's pdf file by clicking the
following:
Public Report of the Fire and Explosion at the ConocoPhillips Humber Refinery
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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