Press Release 11/04/2006 B002:06
Buncefield investigation board – Statement on publication of second report
The Board is publishing today a further report from Taf Powell, the Investigation Manager, on progress with the investigation into the explosions and fire at the Buncefield Oil Storage Depot on 11 December 2005. This complements the first progress report we published on 21 February and affirms our commitment to release relevant factual information from the investigation as it becomes available.
The second report focuses mainly on the environmental impact of the incident, in particular the impact of escaped fuel and firewater on land and on surface and ground water. This will be of interest to the local community, not least because of concerns about the potential for contamination of drinking water. Monitoring is continuing to see if contamination is occurring, which the report emphasises may not appear for months or years. The report’s conclusions in this area are necessarily provisional. But whatever the monitoring reveals, there is no threat to public supplies as drinking water supplied to the public is treated and monitored to maintain its high quality.
The report makes clear that there were significant failures of the bunds that were intended to hold the liquids escaping from the damaged storage tanks and the firefighting waters. The reasons for the failures are still being investigated and in due course work may be needed to review the resilience of bunds, including their design and construction.
Meanwhile storage site operators should take note of the bund failures at Buncefield. They should consider the adequacy of existing bunds on their sites as part of their ongoing safety and environment reviews.
The report also emphasises the continuing impact of the incident on the local community and local businesses. This the Board has witnessed at first hand in our meetings with local residents and business people. Thankfully the incident caused no serious injuries, but this in no way lessens the difficulties caused for those whose lives and jobs have been so badly disrupted. One of the main difficulties is uncertainty about the future. This underlines our resolve to complete our task of investigating the incident and making recommendations to prevent recurrence in the shortest time possible, consistent with ensuring a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile the Board wishes to record its appreciation of the resilience shown by individuals and businesses in coping with the incident and its continuing aftermath. We have been impressed too with the energy and diligence shown by Dacorum Borough Council and many other agencies in providing advice and assistance to those affected by the incident.
Finally, the report looks ahead to the next and crucial stage of the investigation, establishing exactly how the fuel escaped and formed a flammable mixture that exploded. After much difficult work in collecting and assessing evidence the investigation team is now close to being able to answer some of the key questions. The Board will once again ensure that this information is shared with all interested persons as quickly as possible.
Notes to editors
- The Buncefield Investigation: Second progress report can be found on the Board’s website.
- The Major Incident Investigation Board was set-up to supervise the investigation into the Buncefield oil depot incident on 11 December 2005. The Board reports to both the Health and Safety Commission and the Environment Agency.
- The independent Chairman, Lord Newton of Braintree, was appointed on 12 January 2006 and the Board formally began work on 24 January 2006. The Board includes two other independent members, Professor Dougal Drysdale, a leading authority on fire safety engineering and Dr Peter Baxter, a consultant physician in occupational and environmental medicine. Other board members are Taf Powell, Investigation Manager and head of HSE’s Offshore Division, David Ashton, head of HSE’s Field Operations North West and Headquarters Division and Paul Leinster, Director of Operations at the Environment Agency.
- The Board is overseeing the investigation in accordance with HSE’s Major Incident Investigation Policy and Procedures
- The Commission will publish the special report under Section 14(5) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- HSE and the Environment Agency’s terms of reference with regard to this incident are to:
- ensure the thorough investigation of the incident, the factors leading up to it, its impact both on and off-site, and to establish its causation including root causes;
- identify and transmit without delay to duty holders and other appropriate recipients any information requiring immediate action to further safety and/or environmental protection in relation to storage and distribution of hydrocarbon fuels;
- examine the HSE’s and the Environment Agency’s role in regulating the activities on this site under the COMAH Regulations, considering relevant policy guidance and intervention activity;
- work closely with all relevant stakeholders, both to keep them informed of progress with the investigation and to contribute relevant expertise to other inquiries that may be established;
- make recommendations for future action to ensure the effective
- management and regulation of major accident risk at COMAH sites. This should include consideration of off-site as well as on-site risks and consider prevention of incidents, preparations for response to incidents, and mitigation of their effects;
- produce an initial report for the HSC and the Environment Agency as soon as the main facts have been established. Subject to legal considerations, this report will be made public.
- ensure that the relevant notifications are made to the European Commission; and
- make the final report public.
- The Commission has exercised a power under Section 14(2)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, under which it: “may at any time direct the Executive or authorise any other person to investigate and make a special report on any matter.”
- The Buncefield oil depot is subject to the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH) and HSE and the Environment Agency are the joint Competent Authority for these regulations.
Press enquiries
General investigation enquiries
Suzanne Halls (mobile) 07971 186710
Out of hours 020 7928 8382
Environmental enquiries
Tim Abbott 0118 953 5867
Out of hours 0118 953 5581
Public enquiries
Buncefield Major Incident Investigation
Marlowe Room, Rose Court
2 Southwark Bridge
London, SE1 9HS
Tel: 020 7717 6909
Fax: 020 7717 6082
