AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-1999
VIC: Shell faces 35 safety charges over refinery = 2
WorkCover ordered Shell to close sections of its Geelong refinery last October after
inspection teams found major faults with its firefighting facilities.
The inspection was one of a series carried out at fuel and oil sites around the state in
the wake of the fatal explosion and fire at Esso's Longford gas plant the month before.
State parliament was told a firefighting line at the refinery were so badly corroded
hydrocarbons had seeped into fire main pipes.
WorkCover had warned the refinery, which is close to a major Geelong housing estate and the
Princes Highway, could be shut down if it failed to meet its legal requirements.
Shell's moves to repair and upgrade its firefighting and safety system have embroiled it in
lengthy legal and industrial action, with maintenance contractors employed by Danham United
seeking a five per cent wage rise.
Earlier this week, police were called in to remove pickets from the Shell plant after the
company gained a Supreme Court order that the protesters quit their action.
AAP ag/ra/kr
KEYWORD: SHELL CHARGES 2 MELBOURNE (REOPENS)
1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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