MOM files charge against Shell over Pulau Bukom fire
AsiaOne
Monday, Sep 03, 2012
SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has filed a charge against Shell for lapses in safety that resulted in a fire at the company's Pulau Bukom oil refinery last September.
Investigations show that the fire, which was put out 32 hours after it ignited, was caused by lapses such as an accumulation of flammable vapours and static charges, said MOM.
The Straits Times (ST) reported that Shell had allowed an open draining method to be used during a process called de-oiling, which is used in the maintenance of pipelines.
The method allowed flammable vapours to be released into the air, and the accumulation of such vapours created an atmosphere that would easily be ignited by any ignition source, reported the English daily.
MOM added that the open draining method not only allowed volatile vapours to escape, but also resulted in an accumulation of static charges.
This in turn may have produced a spark that lead to the ignition of the naphtha vapours.
Shell also reportedly failed to deploy portable gas monitors, which would have alerted staff to dangerous levels of flammable gases.
Under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, first-time offenders could be fined up to $500,000. The case is to be heard in the Subordinate Courts on September 25.
On Sept 28, 2011, a fire broke out in the pumproom of Shell's half-a-million barrel per day Singapore plant at about 1.15pm.
Six people suffered superficial wounds and three fire engines were damaged from the fire, an AFP report said.
The fire also resulted in temporarily shutting down the refinery.
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