A new task group set up to improve safety standards following the Buncefield fuel depot explosion holds its first meeting today (Wednesday, June 14). Meanwhile, a report has revealed that inadequacies were found at five similar storage sites during inspections carried out in the wake of the December disaster.

The Buncefield Safety Standards Task Group includes representatives from the oil companies and storage operators, as well as the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and Environment Agency. It will be chaired by Ken Rivers, Shell general manager of the Stanlow manufacturing complex and a council member and former president of the UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA).

Teams lead by the HSE have carried out safety checks at 108 fuel storage depots since February. However, while the majority of sites complied to current standards, there were five sites that were not up to scratch and action had to be taken.