Buncefield Explosions - Essay Example

Buncefield Explosions: Examining the Roots Introduction The incident in the Buncefield Oil Depot in the United Kingdom is one of the worst man-made disasters that happened in history. For two days, large smokes from burning fuels and oils surrounded the atmosphere in Northern London. This paper tries to assess the major causes and errors that brought about to this unwanted accident. It also tries to identify the legislations that were present prior to and after the incident. Causes of the Explosion Reports that were filed during the investigation of the incident reveal that engineers who designed the site and the safety experts who checked the site did not conduct any consequence analysis on it. This is evident of the overfilling of Tank 912 which is the major cause of the explosion. The control loop that was supposed to monitor the level of the fuel in the tank and to control the flow of the tank did not function accordingly. Because of this failure, overfilling and escape of oil from the storage tank occurred. A protection from overfilling of fuel is installed but the point level switch that should be separately connected to an alarm or panel was not followed which bypassed the interlock. The investigation showed that for three hours, the pumping level was at the rate of 550 cubic meters per hour and yet, the level gauge failed to document any significant change. Conversely with the said report investigators found out that those CCTVs were functioning well and footage of data recording can be seen. The overflowing of fuel was recorded and captured but during that time, no one was watching the filling of fuels thus causing the incident. Even though it was around three in the morning, there should be night shifters working and monitoring the site including the tanks. On the other hand, there were some reports that not only Tank 912 has malfunctioned but also other tanks in the site and no one during that shift noticed even a single of it. It may not be a system fault but also neglect on the part of the personnel assigned in monitoring the depot. Lastly, distinction of hazardous areas and considering of wind direction, that should be conducted during the initial stages was not done. Certainly, the Buncefield incident will have a great impact on the way controls and instruments work. This occurrence also emphasized the importance of being alert during shift assignments on part of the personnel. The Buncefield explosion also exhibited a great potential of having a hydrocarbon leak thus creating an enormous detonation because of its capability and power. Such companies should have an intense aptitude for them to be able to operate such business. The investigation report done by the Major Incident Investigation Board (MIIB) last July 13, 2006 cleared that one of the four great concerns of their investigation is the design and operation of the areas. The other three fields that are included in the investigation are as follows: a) Preparedness of staffs during the emergency situations and their way of responding to such circumstances and events, b) Giving advises to personnel who are authorized to and, c) Assessment of activities in Buncefield by the HSE and EA. Perceived Effects of the Explosion Andy McSmith (2006) cites some harmful effects of the Buncefield explosions. As reported by the environment officers, the ground water around the site is contaminated because of the water used by the firemen in putting out the fire. This has resulted into the temporary closure of a big water pumping station at Bow Bridge. The smoke generated by the incident can still accumulate in the atmosphere and can contribute to the global warming because of the carbons that were emitted during the burning period. According to McSmith (2006), the perfluoroocatane sulfonate (PMOS), a substance that is present on fire fighter foams can be a negative threat to the environmental food chain because of its indestructible characteristics. The PMOS is used because it can make the foam to spread quickly in high temperatures which in return, decreases the time to put off the fire. This substance accumulates in the human beings as well as the animals and is proven a toxic substance which is perceived to be a probable cause to bladder cancer. This substance interrupts the ability of the body to produce its own cholesterol which is an important building block of every human system in the body. For animals, the substance according to studies has less impact on aquatic animals but has a toxic impact on insects such as honey bees. Investigations, Responses and Legislations Prior to the incident, the presence of the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations of 1999 or COMAH is a legislation that aims to prevent the effects of major accidents that involves hazardous or toxic substances that can harm the people and the environment. The regulations are implemented and enforced by a competent authority or CA and is assisted by Health and Safety Executive and the Environment or HSE. According to the data and information gathered by the HSE, there were around a hundred areas surrounding Great Britain that obtained a permission to accumulate and store such amounts of oil and fuel products hence involving them to the Control of Major Accidental Hazards (COMAH) Regulations of 1999. At the height of the Buncefield incident, there were several precautionary measures that were provided by the key agencies. The HSE recommended several Safety Alerts that should be followed especially by those oil and fuel companies. These are as follows: 1) reviewing of the safety operations of their site to avoid accidents 2) assuring that it is well-managed 3) making sure that staffs that will be hired are well-trained, competent and subservient – required for hazardous operations 4) ensuring and reviewing the toughness of the management systems 5) practicing safety precautions in the site and 6) availability of equipments that can be used for emergency situations. Inspections of areas are done to check if they are responding to the safety precautions required by the HSE and other organizations. According to Dave Willis of the Environmental Agency, the Buncefield incident has no major environmental impact with respect to the atmosphere. Although the fire lasted for two whole days, he assured that there will be no long-term effect on the environment as well as the people living near the site based on their data on the stored fuel that burned. The Environmental Agency as well as other movements and organizations are joining forces in examining the possible impacts of the explosion and preventing if there are hazardous effects on people and the environment. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) provided some guidelines to the people on households that are affected by the explosions in order to prevent complications related to polluted air. The Environmental Agency also coordinated with the local fire stations that helped in putting out the fire in tackling safety measures in using the waters from rivers and other bodies of water near the site for drinking or other purposes. With respect to the Perfluorooctane sulfonate or PMOS, McSmith (2006) mentions the measure done by the government in prohibiting the use of this deadly chemical by fire fighters because of its adversary effects to people and the environment. Two of the major organizations that became involved in the investigation of Buncefield explosion in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire are to act against the five companies engaged in the said incident. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environmental Agency (EA) belong to the prosecution of these companies. The companies who will be prosecuted are the following: the Total UK Ltd, British Pipeline Agency Ltd, Motherwell Control Systems 2003 Ltd, Hertfordshire Oil Storage Ltd and the TAV Engineering Ltd. They are to be under a systematic investigation that will be initiated by the HSE and EA. In addition to it, on the eight’ report regarding the investigation of Buncefield incident, the recommendation about certain risks on major hazard areas was greatly emphasized. The Board concerned in the incident requested a group of expert people to explain the severity of what happened in Buncefield. Assessment and Conclusion Findings from Buncefield incident show that technological advancement can be a threat to human beings and the environment if man neglects in keeping the efficiency of the machines and other facilities. Investigations not only showed the system failure from the facilities in the oil depot but also the possible human error and neglect on part of the personnel. This occurrence showed the inefficiency of these man-made facilities accompanied by human neglect because of fuels wasted and most especially, the perceived harmful impacts of the explosions. Lethal substances like the PMOS are also added threats to the human beings and the environment brought by the fire incident. Reports explain that this substance can alter in the system functions of the human body and is also deadly on animals. The presence of safety regulations from the authority towards the owners of factories, power plants, and oil depots is importance in keeping these areas safe from disasters due to human faults. In the case of the people who are residing near these structures, proper protection provided by these owners must be given to them as implemented by the local authorities. Through this system, the people will live safely and peacefully. Regular check-ups from the local authorities and other environmental agencies on these structures are also essential to avoid another incident like the Buncefield explosions. It has been three years from now since the incident happened. The denotation that happened in Buncefield Oil Storage Depot, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire last December 2005 was indeed a major hazardous problem that occurred in that time. There were many innocent people who were harmed and injured. These casualties indeed had a tremendous trauma of what happened to them and to their family or loved ones. On the other hand, the government including the officials and other organizations or groups concerned is doing their best and giving a great effort to investigate and search for facts and data to find out the real and main reason of the explosion. In addition to it, experts were being tasked to explain to the management and other companies associated with Buncefield Oil Depot the incident that brought the explosion to occur and happen so that in the future, such events will be avoided and will not have any tendencies to happen. The organizations tasked in this field also require other companies to strictly follow their rules and be ready to face any consequences if they break any regulations. List of References: Beds Herts and Bucks. Buncefield Explosions.from http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/ content /articles/2005/12/13/buncefield_environment_features.html Buncefield Investigation Homepage.The Incident. Available from http://www.buncefieldinvestigation.gov. uk/index.htm Industrial fire world. Sequence of Events at Buncefield.Vol 21 No 6. Available from http://www.fireworld.com/ifw_articles/sequence.php Industrial Plant Safety. Explosion and fire at Buncefield Oil Storage Depot - Five companies to face prosecution. [accessed December 8, 2008] Available from http://industrialplantsafety.com/ explosion-and-fire-at-buncefield-oil-storage-depot-five-companies-to-face-prosecution.html McSmith, Andy. Poisonous legacy of the Buncefield fire. The Independent UK. May 5 2006. [accessed December 8, 2008] Available from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/poisonous-legacy-of-buncefield-fire-476887.html COMAH. Health and Safety Executive.Safety Alert to operators of “COMAH” oil/fuel storage sites. Available from http://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/buncefield/alert.htm The Global Voice for the High Risk Fire and Safety Specialist.Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board Publish Recommendations on the Design and Operation of Fuel Storage Sites. Available from http://www.firedirect.net/Technical/0713_001.htm Latest News.from http://www.buncefieldinvestigation.gov.uk/press/news.htm Read More