WORKERS AT SALTEND have expressed concerns following a release of vapour from the INEOS plant at the site.
A trade union organiser representing workers at the site has conveyed reports from his members that “5 to 10 tons of vapour” may have been released into the atmosphere. Some of his members have experienced sore eyes and throats as a result.
The INEOS Press Office have confirmed that there was an incident involving a “minor release of non-toxic vapour” at about 4:15pm on Monday 26th September.
An earlier report from a source at the site said that workers had to run for cover to escape the gas cloud. They were then confined to their cabins until the decision to send everybody home was made at 5pm when workers were escorted off the site.
Workers have also expressed concern that the Toxic Alarm was not sounded during the incident.
It is understood that trade unions and INEOS have been meeting today to discuss these concerns and a mass meeting of workers will be held on the site tomorrow. *See comment below.
INEOS have released a press statement about the incident:
INCIDENT AT INEOS ENTERPRISES VAM PLANT AT SALTEND SITE, HULL
INEOS Enterprises can confirm that at approximately 4:15pm on Monday 26 September 2011, there was an incident on the Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) Plant at its Saltend Site, Hull.
The incident involved a minor release of non-toxic vapour. The site toxic alarm was not sounded as the chemicals released were non-toxic, however as a precautionary measure workers in close proximity to the incident were advised to go inside and clear the area.
There were no significant injuries and no off-site impact as a result of the incident. We are now liaising with both the Health & Safety Executive and the Environment Agency.
The Company’s tried and tested emergency procedures worked as planned in the control and management of this incident. A full investigation will now be carried out into the cause of the incident.
NOTE: Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) is manufactured at the INEOS plant at the Saltend Site. It is used in the production of paints; furniture and flooring adhesives; textiles, clothing and footwear; paper coatings; packaging; and safety glass for cars and buildings.
5t/10t was released affecting 500 workers on the new vivergo plant where no alarms are not fitted yet 3 days in the cabins whilst stewards talked to managment over major safety concerns that affected engineering construction workers
About 15 tonnes flashed off their offspec tank when the fire relief hatch lifted due to a thermal runaway reaction. As for ‘non-toxic’ that’s just a direct lie – here’s the info from the Dow Chemical MSDS:
Possible carcinogen. May affect fertility. Risk of irreversible effects. Possible mutagen. Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Severe eye irritant. May cause skin burns if trapped in contact with skin. Typical STEL 20 ppm.
Very surprised the mainstream media haven’t picked up on this! Lot of anger on Saltend as to why BP didn’t sound the Site Toxic alarm.
Janet Ward, the Public Relations Officer at INEOS has issued the following clarification to the above:
I have just picked up your article on the Hedon Blog regarding the INEOS Enterprises incident. I would be most grateful if you could remove the reference to INEOS having had a meeting with the Trades Unions today as this is factually incorrect, I can confirm the INEOS Enterprises staff have continued to work since the incident with no issues or disturbance. I would be grateful if this change could be done as soon as possible.