WATCHDOGS have accused Fawley refinery of not doing enough to prevent the risk of explosions occurring on the site, the Daily Echo can reveal.
Officials at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) served a series of improvement notices on Esso Petroleum last year after identifying failings in procedures.
Four of the notices relate to furnaces that form part of the huge complex - the biggest of its type in the UK.
Citing the potential risk of explosions occurring during the start-up process, they said Esso was not taking all the measures necessary to prevent a major accident and, in doing so, was failing to ensure the safety of employees.
READ MORE: Fawley refinery: New images show impact of 'major incident'
Another notice served earlier this year said a failure to inspect and adequately maintain pipework had resulted in the release of a hazardous substance.
It was issued after 100 litres of residual gas oil leaked from a pipe and contaminated part of Southampton Water.
Another notice served on the same day followed an incident last November in which a 100-tonne steel platform collapsed, resulting in the release of liquid petroleum gas.
The notice accused Esso of failing to specify when repairs would be carried out to structures identified as being at risk following the incident.
According to the HSE website, the notice has already been complied with by Esso.
READ MORE: ExxonMobil reveals causes of loud bang that shook homes and caused windows to rattle
But two of the unions representing employees at the refinery have voiced concerns in the wake of the HSE notices.
Bryan Hulley, regional officer of the GMB, said: "Quite frankly, it would take an awful lot to convince me that the site is safe.
"There has been a lack of investment in maintenance for at least 40 years. In addition, there is now a shortage of skilled labour to carry out the work."
Mr Hulley claimed the refinery was being run on a shoestring and urged the operators to pay staff what they are worth.
Malcolm Bonnett, regional officer of Unite the Union, added: "More investment in planned preventative maintenance is necessary and the retention of a highly skilled workforce is essential.
"Key tradespeople are leaving the industry because of wages falling behind."
READ MORE: Fawley refinery 'massive boom' sparks call for public scrutiny
Mr Bonnett said the refinery needed to replace old plant equipment, engage more fully with unions and employees, and "restore confidence" by creating a safer working environment.
Some of the homes, schools, and businesses surrounding the highly complex site are only a few yards from the perimeter fence.
As reported in the Daily Echo, a series of incidents have occurred at the refinery over the past few months.
The collapse of the 100-tonne platform and the leak of residual gas oil was followed by a deafening bang on March 3.
Sirens sounded and firefighters at nearby Hardley were put on alert following a "massive boom" that rattled windows and sparked widespread alarm in the area.
Scores of people took to social media, saying the ear-splitting noise could be heard as far afield as Romsey and Cadnam.
In a bulletin to people living near the refinery ExxonMobil said: "The noise was caused by the sudden release of high-pressure air from a fracture in a metal pipe.
"The event lasted about one second. Nobody was injured, there were no subsequent impacts and the community was not at risk.
"We subsequently completed the maintenance work and the unit was safely returned to normal service.
"While this was an incredibly rare occurrence that we could not have foreseen or planned for, we have now revised our process for this routine work to remove the risk of a repeat in the future.
"Earlier this month a plume of dark smoke was seen billowing from a stack on one of the refinery's combustion units."
Last week ExxonMobil said it had resolved a "minor" operational issue that had caused a strong smell of gas in the area.
In recent months the frequent use of Fawley flares - the refinery's safety valve - has also caused concern.
Cllr Alex Wade is the new chairman of Hythe and Dibden Parish Council.
He said: "It is important that residents living near the refinery are confident all precautions are being taken and that they, along with stakeholders such as the local council, are kept updated of any safety issues and actions being taken in response.
"Engagement to help reassure the community is integral. I don't doubt they are doing all they can to mitigate the issues that arose from recent incidents."
Fawley Parish Council asked ExxonMobil to attend one of its meetings to address local concerns about the refinery.
Chairman Alan Alvey said: "The council advertised the meeting on social media, on their website, and on the notice boards. Although some residents had previously expressed concerns, no members of the public attended."
Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East, added: "I have usually found the refinery management highly responsive to concerns about safety.
"If the HSE are concerned, then we should expect effective remedial action to be taken as a matter of urgency."
An ExxonMobil spokesperson said: "ExxonMobil Fawley operates in one of the most highly regulated industries anywhere in the world and adheres to the highest risk management practices.
"We work collaboratively with the Health and Safety Executive and routinely host them at site for planned inspections, with 12 routine visits scheduled this year.
"Safety is a culture at Fawley and we ensure that over 2,500 staff and contractors come to work in a safe environment every day.
"In the past five years, they have worked over 25 million hours, yet have a total recordable incident rate for inquiries that is among the lowest of any sector.
"We continuously look at ways to improve safety, reliability and efficiency through routine maintenance and upgrades, with over £1bn spent in the last five years alone. Next year we will spend a further £100m on a major maintenance project.
"We work openly and constructively with the HSE through a shared commitment to continuous improvement.
"Improvement notices are used by the HSE inspectors for a variety of reasons such as seeking information regarding maintenance activities. ExxonMobil Fawley has complied with all notices."
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