Fuel safety still too lax

Published on Saturday 27 June 2009 19:44

COMMON sense would dictate that when storing dangerous material such as fuel oil, no corners can be cut when it comes to ensuring the safety of workers and protecting the environment. This, surely, is one area of business where safeguards must be rigorously adhered to. If anything was needed to persuade the owners and managers of such facilities of the need for best practice and vigilance, then the devastating explosion and subsequent environmental hazards seen at the Buncefield fuel depot in H

And yet, as we reveal today, investigations by the environmental protection agency Sepa have revealed major failings in the way fuel oil is stored at Scotland's major fuel depots. None of the nine sites north of the border comply fully with the recommendations made in the wake of Buncefield.

That major international firms such as BP and Ineos have allowed this situation to develop is disturbing. They say they are working closely with the authorities to remedy the failings and they insist safety is a top priority. If this was the case, the safety bunds – which prevent the spread of millions of gallons of fuel in the event of a leak or explosion – would have been correctly positioned and well maintained. They weren't. The firms involved should be aware that easy assurances in future will not be so readily accepted.