Member Article

Hundreds of North Lincolnshire oil refinery workers strike over safety concerns

Hundreds of oil refinery contract workers in North Lincolnshire have gone on strike for a second day over safety concerns after a gas leak last week in which 2 people were taken to hospital.Â

According to the BBC, on Monday, at least 450 contract workers at the Philips 66 plant in South Killingholme left the site. The decision to walk out was made following a meeting at 08:00 GMT of workers and union officials.

Phillips 66 confirmed there had been a small gas release during some routine maintenance work at the Humber Refinery last Wednesday.

In a statement, the company said: “Our emergency response team responded and the county ambulance was called. As a precaution two contractors were taken to the local county hospital who were later released to return to work.

“We are investigating the cause of the release. Operations were not interrupted.”

The company employs 1,000 contractors and 750 staff. Mechanical engineers, scaffolders, welders and pipe-fitters are among the workers who have walked out.

GMB union officer Shaune Clarkson said:Â “The most important thing when you walk through those gates in the morning is you get home safely to your families at night.

“All we want, and all the men want, is a reassurance that is going to happen.”

A company spokeswoman said Philips 66 had been holding an “ongoing dialogue with contractor management over the last week to discuss their issues, many of which relate to onsite communications”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .