Gas leak concerns

Following today’s butane gas leak at Ineos Grangemouth earlier today (Tuesday September 30), Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty is demanding commitments to world class safety at the plant.

“Grangemouth is Scotland’s premier industrial site so it is vital that the workforce, the local community and the contractors can have every confidence that it is being run with maximum emphasis on safety,” he said.

He said the leak was ‘not a minor incident’. The site was locked-down, as were the surrounding areas. Local schools had to keep children indoors until the all-clear was given. All of this was “a reflection of the severity of this incident, believes Pat.

“Unite has stressed time and again that the best way to maintain the highest safety standards at the site is to work with the union and our expert safety reps,” said Pat.

“It is no secret to the company that we are seriously concerned that the number of safety specialists on the site has been cut to a level that we regard as unacceptable and so I stress again to Ineos, work with us to rectify this situation.”

Unite will be discussing the issue at a meeting with the health and safety executive later in October.

“We will be looking for its commitment to delivering world class safety at the Grangemouth site. Scottish and UK taxpayers have invested in this plant; at the very least they must have confidence in its operations, ” added Pat.