Safety concerns at the Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, prompted by allegations of unsafe conditions due to staffing levels have been dismissed. Unite union officials voiced worries about the potential for a serious accident, pointing to insufficient financial retention packages for safety-critical workers as a contributing factor to staffing problems. Nonetheless, these claims have been denied by The Insolvency Service, which is currently running the refinery following the administration of Prax Group, affirming that safety remains a cornerstone of their operations.
They are working in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive and are engaged in ongoing discussions with the aim of securing a buyer for the business in the future. Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, stressed the urgent need for better retention packages in a letter to Ed Miliband, Energy Security Shadow Secretary. She drew comparisons with previous incidents at refineries. Meetings with government officials are planned, and outcomes relating to redundancies are anticipated by the end of September.
Adapted from original reporting by The Lincoln Post.
