date: Friday 4 July 2008
embargo: for immediate release
Twenty years on from world's worst offshore oil disaster, TUC welcomes new review of health and safety
Commenting on the 20th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster on Saturday 5 July, the world's worst offshore disaster in which 167 people were killed, the TUC today (Friday) welcomed the Government's announcement to ask the HSE to review progress made in health and safety in the offshore oil and gas industry.
The announcement, made by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell, followed Frank Doran MP's adjournment debate in Westminster to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster.
Commenting on the 20th anniversary of the Alpha Piper disaster, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Trade unions have been pressing for safety to be given a far higher priority in this sector for many years. Workers have been killed on the rigs in eight of the last ten years and, because of the high price of oil, many installations are operating well beyond their planned life-span.
'A full review of the infrastructure and procedures in the offshore industry, including the levels of worker involvement and support for safety representatives, is needed to prevent further tragedies.'
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- On 6 July 1988, 167 men died following an explosion on the Piper Alpha oil rig in the North Sea.
- Frank Doran's adjournment debate to mark the 20th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster can be found at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080702/halltext/80702h0001.htm#08070259000001
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Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Press release (300 words) issued 4 Jul 2008
