9 May 2006
As the latest report highlights a chain of safety system failures, Mike Penning continues to call for an independent, public inquiry into the Buncefield disaster.
The Buncefield Investigation today issued an interim report outlining the physical causes of the explosion – essentially caused by the one of the fuel tanks, tank no. 912, overflowing for 40 minutes without being noticed – either by any of the many safety mechanisms in place or by any member of staff.
Reacting to today’s report, Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, said:
“So many questions remain unanswered and it seriously brings into question whether the Health and Safety Executive should be carrying out this inquiry. It is clear from this report that a string of safely mechanisms failed and it is the HSE who are responsible for safety inspections at the site. It is astonishing that they can continue to lead up this inquiry when it seems a real possibility that their inspection procedures could have failed to highlight defects in the safety systems at the site.
“It is against natural justice for them to be carrying out this inquiry – and for it to be held behind closed doors. Clearly the only way forward is to have an independent, public inquiry.
“Many people who live nearby or who worked in office blocks that were destroyed by the explosion feel that their lives were put in danger. If the HSE safety checks were inadequate, we need to know. We need to be sure for the future safety of not only the people of Hemel Hempstead but also for the safety of people who live near major fuel installations in other parts of the UK.”
The Buncefield Investigation today issued an interim report outlining the physical causes of the explosion – essentially caused by the one of the fuel tanks, tank no. 912, overflowing for 40 minutes without being noticed – either by any of the many safety mechanisms in place or by any member of staff.
Reacting to today’s report, Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, said:
“So many questions remain unanswered and it seriously brings into question whether the Health and Safety Executive should be carrying out this inquiry. It is clear from this report that a string of safely mechanisms failed and it is the HSE who are responsible for safety inspections at the site. It is astonishing that they can continue to lead up this inquiry when it seems a real possibility that their inspection procedures could have failed to highlight defects in the safety systems at the site.
“It is against natural justice for them to be carrying out this inquiry – and for it to be held behind closed doors. Clearly the only way forward is to have an independent, public inquiry.
“Many people who live nearby or who worked in office blocks that were destroyed by the explosion feel that their lives were put in danger. If the HSE safety checks were inadequate, we need to know. We need to be sure for the future safety of not only the people of Hemel Hempstead but also for the safety of people who live near major fuel installations in other parts of the UK.”
