Faulty pump caused refinery blaze
Initial investigation findings show that the Nynas refinery fire was probably caused by a faulty pump on a distillation unit.
The fire which broke out on 10th November was the latest in a string of fires at the plant. A spokesman for the refinery said “Although the investigation has not yet been completed it seems most likely that the fire was caused by the failure of a pump on the distillation unit in the early hours and this led to failure of the pump’s seal.
The plant remained closed through the investigation to allow for repairs to be carried out but hopes to re open after a risk assessment.
£50,000 fine for ‘Death Trap’ store
Poundstretcher Ltd has pleaded guilty to serious fire safety breaches at its Huddersfield store.
A fire safety inspector found that the store was putting its staff and customers at serious risk of injury or death due to a catalogue of safety failings at the store.
Inspectors discovered that only one fire exit was in use, but was not working properly and could actually have trapped them inside the building rather than helping them escape. Other exits that were not in use were blocked by large amounts of combustible material.
Before the failings were discovered, a risk assessment had been carried out and recommendations had been made but were not actioned at the store.
The Company has been fined £50,000 for the breaches. In the past 18 months it has also had to pay out over £20,000 for failings at other stores in Wakefield and Halifax.
The Company accepted responsibility and immediately set about rectifying all of the issues. Poundstretcher company secretary, Martin Collinson said, “We note the comments of the judge and we have to take what he said very seriously”.
Birmingham high-rise fire safety failings
A report by the BBC has highlighted serious fire safety breaches in most of Birmingham’s tower blocks.
Even recently refurbished Bakeman House has failed to comply with the fire safety standards especially in common areas of the building. Many other high rise flats where deemed out-dated and run down.
The City Council confirm that it has planned fire safety work in many of its tower blocks to be completed by the end of the financial year.
One housing organisation, Whitefriars Housing disputed the findings saying “Our customers’ safety is our chief concern. We have conducted in-depth fire risk assessments three times in the past year,”.
The full report was aired on the BBC Inside Out programme on 25th October.
Fire Risk Assessment Foudation Course Testimonial
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Kind regards
Craig Parker DipNEBOSH GradIOSH MIIRSM
Dorset Safety Services Ltd
Haringey Landlords Jailed – Friday 12th June 2009
Two landlords have been sentenced to imprisonment for six months and have each been ordered to pay £5000 costs for breaching fire safety regulations after a prosecution by London Fire Brigade. (more…)