By Ivan Morris Poxton

Copyright grimsbytelegraph

Unite union has warned the Government Lindsey Oil Refinery (LOR) is at “serious risk of a major accident”, due to staffing levels. It has asked for financial retention packages to refinery workers to be “significantly improved” to avoid workers leaving. A letter by Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, to Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband, highlights the refinery is a top-tier Control of Major Accidental Hazards (COMAH) site. Ms Graham states of a major accident, “the potential for such a catastrophe must be avoided at all costs.” An Insolvency Service spokesperson has said the independent Official Receiver’s top priority “remains ensuring the safety of Lindsey oil refinery and its workers”. He is working with the company’s management and the Health and Safety Executive on this, and continuing negotiations on a range of bids for the refinery. Ms Graham’s letter, seen by Grimsby Live , dates from September 15. It likens the consequences of a major accident at the refinery to the BP Texas City refinery explosion in 2005, and the Pembroke refinery explosion in the UK in 2011. Both incidents saw multiple fatalities, with 15 workers killed by the 2005 Texas explosion. “The lives that could be lost, livelihoods destroyed, the environmental and infrastructure damage that could be done to the site and everything around it is frightening.” “Despite the assurances you have received from the Official Receiver, Unite believes that unless further measures are put in place without delay, LOR is at serious risk of a major accident.” The letter also requests an urgent meeting with the Treasury and Chancellor Rachel Reeves over supporting the refinery. Ms Graham states the Energy Security Secretary has “stated at each meeting on this issue with Unite that you face significant challenges with the Treasury”. She requests an “urgent meeting” with the Chancellor, who is copied into the letter, “to set out the case for Unite members and the need for immediate financial support to ensure the safety of the refinery workers, local community and neighbouring P66 refinery”. The core of the safety concerns expressed revolves around safety critical staff leaving for jobs elsewhere. Although bids are being considered, the refinery is currently being wound down. Those impacted by redundancies are due to be informed by no later than the end of September. “Unite has a serious and immediate concern,” Ms Graham states, that safe running of the refinery “is now in danger”. Workers on site have informed union representatives they are keeping their options open and are not planning to work their notice period, but simply leave at the end of a pay period. The workers have told the representatives “that they are disincentivised from informing the ‘special manager’, FTI Consulting about their plans and their conversations with alternative employers”. Unite believes from these conversations the financial retention package to retain staff during the wind down is insufficient “to ensure the minimum safe staffing levels”. Particularly if it looks like the refinery does not have a future. Ms Graham goes onto state: “We believe that unless the retention package is significantly improved without delay to encourage staff to stay, LOR as a Top Tier COMAH site is at serious risk of being put into an unsafe and dangerous state.” Get all the latest headlines sent straight to your inbox for free with our newsletter. You can stay up to date with all the breaking news and top stories in our area as they happen by clicking this link. Unite raises concern not just on staffing levels, but competency of those remaining. “This is not only a question of numbers, competency (experience and relevant qualifications) to carry out those roles is also essential. We do not believe this is currently the case.” The letter also asks Mr Miliband to “advise on the veracity” of recent claims that special managers FTI Consulting are looking to decommission the refinery “as it will financially benefit from that”. It also confirms Unite representatives are to meet Mr Miliband next week, and suggests the Treasury attends. Grimsby Live contacted the Government for a response. An Insolvency Service spokesperson said: “The Official Receiver’s first priority remains ensuring the safety of Lindsey oil refinery and its workers, and he is working closely with the company’s management and the Health and Safety Executive. “He is in ongoing negotiations with a number of parties to progress bids with the objective of achieving a sale of the business.” FTI Consulting were contacted for opportunity for comment as well.