Blast refinery workers sent home over asbestos

Scores of workers have been sent home from an oil refinery involved in a fatal explosion after asbestos was found, unions said today.

By The Newsroom

Published 2nd Jul 2010, 10:58 BST

Updated 2nd Jul 2010, 10:58 BST

A joint police and Health and Safety Executive investigation was launched following the explosion and fire at the Lindsey Oil Refinery (LOR) which killed one contractor, named locally as Robert Greenacre, 24.

Mr Greenacre, of Grimsby, was working near a crude oil distillation unit which caught alight then exploded at the plant in North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, at about noon on Tuesday.

According to the GMB union, leader Phil Whitehurst: "Independent specialists from Yorkshire have found traces of abestos at the scene of the explosion.

"Workers on the HDS-3 plant have been sent home on full pay until Monday while specialists deal with the abestos problem."

Mr Whitehurst also said "questions have to be asked" about the "Permit to Work" issued for work on a pipe at LOR.

Yesterday, a number of contractors at the site walked out citing safety worries along with others at different plants including the neighbouring Humber Refinery.