Five firms are being prosecuted following the Buncefield oil terminal explosion in December 2005. Total UK, Hertfordshire Oil Storage, British Pipeline Agency, TAV Engineering and Motherwell Control Systems 2003 all face charges. The action follows an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency.
The explosion was the result of a spillage of about 300 tonnes of petrol from the top of a storage tank on the site in Hemel Hempstead. Measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale and heard 125 miles away, the blast is believed to have been the biggest in peacetime Europe. Widespread damage was caused and 43 people were injured.
Total UK has been charged with failing to ensure the safety of its employees and others it did not employ, and also with polluting groundwater with fuel and firewater chemicals.
Motherwell Control Systems 2003 is accused of failing to maintain and test a gauge and a high level switch, both installed to ensure the tank would not overflow.
Hertfordshire Oil Storage and British Pipeline Agency, both responsible for the storage of oil at the depot, are accused of not taking the necessary measures to prevent a major accident. Further, both companies are charged with polluting groundwater with fuel and firewater chemicals.
TAV Engineering is charged over an alleged failure in its design, manufacture and supply of the high level switch.
The trial begins on 15 June at St Albans Crown Court.
For more information, see the:
