Lessons must be learned from oil refinery blast

Safety

Lessons must be learned from oil refinery blast

10 Jun, 2011

Published over 14 years ago. See the latest and most current information on Safety.

David Cameron has said that lessons must be learned from the recent explosion at a Welsh oil refinery.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday (June 8th), he described that blast at Chevron's Pembrokeshire oil refinery as a "tragic incident".

However, he said that the company had a good safety record in an industry which came with a number of "inherent risks".

Four contractors died in the explosion last Thursday (June 2nd) which occurred while a storage tank was being taken out of service to allow for routine maintenance.

"I am sure there will be lessons to learn, but … it has had a good safety record and a good safety record in an industry in which there really are some inherent risks," the prime minister told MPs.

Meanwhile, Angela Burns, Assembly member for Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire, said that she is "uncomfortable" with some of the rumours and speculation and has urged people to wait to discover the outcome of the investigation so that lessons can be learned.

PIN 27.2 Apr/May 2026

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