Petroleum company fined £1 million following gas leak

The gas leak was caused when a large steel tower partially collapsed causing the structure to rupture pipework and cause the uncontrolled release of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). 

Workers were in the vicinity of the refinery at the time of the collapse and were exposed to the risk of serious injury from falling debris as well as burns if the gas had ignited. It took around 33 hours for the incident to be isolated.  

The investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the collapse of the tower was the result of corrosion that had been identified in 2010, but that the company had not taken appropriate action to control. 

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.