HSE offers advice to oil and gas experts
February 18th 16:21 Health and Safety
Businesses working in the oil and gas sectors have been urged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) not to let the economic downturn affect their safety precautions.
The department has warned firms working with the industries not to be "blinded" by short-term business pressures when it comes to safety.
At the recent Energy Institute seminar in London, HSE chair Judith Hackitt, who has more than 25-years experience in the industry, highlighted events at the BP Texas City refinery in 2005 to show the potential dangers involved.
The expert said short-term business pressures had forced BP to reduce the amount it spent at the plant, but the firm failed to "monitor the subsequent impact of this".
"This had a dramatic impact on the repair and maintenance programme at the site and was a significant factor in the catastrophic explosion in 2005," she added.
"When we cease to be afraid of the potential for human suffering and devastating business consequences of a major incident in any of the industries represented here today, we lose sight of why it really is so important that we take this matter seriously."
The seminar was held as part of International Petroleum Week, which is currently being staged in the capital.
