Written question asked by Bob Spink (Independent (affiliation)) on Monday, 15 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 March 2010. It was answered by Jonathan Shaw (Labour) on Monday, 29 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Oikos: Canvey Island

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will direct the Health and Safety Executive to examine proposals to store petroleum and similar substances at the Oikos terminal on Canvey Island; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 18 March 2010]: Oikos Storage Ltd. will be required under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (as amended) ('COMAH') to review and, where necessary, revise its COMAH safety report in the light of proposals to store petroleum and similar substances at its Canvey Island site and to demonstrate that it is taking all necessary measures to prevent major accidents and to limit the consequences to people and the environment.Such measures will include implementing and maintaining the minimum safety and environmental standards for fuel storage sites. These have been revised following the investigation into the explosion and fires at the Buncefield fuel storage site in December 2005. They have recently been published as the Process Safety Leadership Group's (PSLG) final report which is available on the HSE website.The Health and Safety Executive will assess any significant changes that are made to the site and to the COMAH safety report in its role as part of the COMAH Competent Authority.

Secondary information