Buncefield Joint Task Group Calls For Immediate Action
The actions, 'provide a significant challenge to industry', and are in response to findings contained in the Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board's (MIIB) initial report published in July. These recommendations, based on the latest information available, are "believed to be precautionary and prudent to offer worthwhile additional public and environmental protection".
The required actions are:
Pipeline transfers
- The safe management of product transfer will be improved by receiving site operators positively confirming that they can safely receive the product package before transfer starts and are able to initiate emergency shutdown if necessary. This will be achieved through the use of a standardised consignment transfer agreement. [For completion by January 2007]. Tank overfill prevention
Tank
- Operating practices, staffing levels and systems, must provide effective safety margins to prevent a release. [For completion by January 2007].
- The overall systems for tank-filling control must be of high integrity ? with sufficient independence to ensure timely and safe shutdown to prevent tank overflow. Site operators should meet the latest international standards. [For completion by June 2007].
Valves
- Fire Safe Shut-Off Valves must be fitted close to the tank on both inlet and outlet pipes. These valves should conform to an appropriate fire safe standard7 or be intrinsically fire-safe. [For completion by April 2007 ].
- Remotely Operated Shut Off-Valves (ROSOVs) for the emergency isolation of hazardous substances should fail safe. [For completion by June 2007].
Containment measures
- Joints in bunds must be capable of resisting fire. Existing bunds should be modified to meet this requirement. [For completion by May 2007].
- Tertiary containment measures must be capable of preventing the uncontrolled escape of firewater and other products to the environment. [Site action plans to achieve this should be drawn up by January 2007 - to inform the production of further guidance by June 2007].
Shift handover
- Effective shift/crew handover communication arrangements must be in place to ensure the safe continuation of operations. [For completion by January 2007].
The CA is also reviewing the emerging outcomes from the safety and environmental reviews of fuel depots carried out by the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency earlier this year.
The CA will report their findings later this year. These may well include the need for industry to take further measures.
The Task Group recommends and the CA requires sites that have bulk tanks storing petroleum that could be overfilled leading to a significant vapour cloud to take immediate action. These sites will now have to implement the recommendations by the deadlines set out in the report. Industry representatives have agreed to complete them and the CA will be monitoring industry progress closely to ensure the enhanced safety standards are introduced on time.
Under the CA's direction, the Task Group set out to undertake a comprehensive and thorough review of facilities like Buncefield to ensure they operate correctly. The actions detailed above are the first results of this work. The Task Group will make final recommendations to industry aimed at enhancing safety and environmental standards by July 2007.
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