Praise for oil refinery’s safety training programme

The chair of the HSE has described a Cheshire oil refinery as a “shining example” of health and safety.

Judith Hackitt, who herself worked in the chemical industry for more than 30 years prior to her role at the HSE, visited the Stanlow Oil Refinery in Ellesmere Port on 31 January. She praised the facility, which is owned by Essar Oil, for providing a training programme for apprentices, which explains the risks that they will face in their jobs. The programme is run by Essar Oil in partnership with TTE Training Ltd.

“These industries show what real health and safety is about,” declared Hackitt. “You have to understand the risks involved in working on hazardous processes. Health and safety isn’t an add-on; it’s fundamental to the job.

“Teaching people the right way to do a job is what apprentice training is about – they learn how to do it safely and efficiently. It’s great to see such a good example of integrated training, which will ensure that these apprentices understand the risks they will face and how to do their job safely.

“Working in a major-hazard environment is all about respecting the nature of the processes, but getting on with the job.”

Essar Oil’s safety and environment manager, Mike Brown, added: “Having competent people is a prerequisite for the safe operation of a top-tier site like Stanlow. The TTE apprenticeship scheme, which we are very proud of, contributes to this by developing young people to be ready to face the challenges of their new job.”