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Mossmorran, near Kirkcaldy, Fife · Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court
Five leaks of extremely flammable hydrocarbons occurred between February 2018 and September 2019 at the Fife Ethylene Plant, all caused by corrosion under insulation. The company's inspection system for insulated pipework was inadequate, relying on visual checks that often failed to detect the corrosion.
Injuries: None of the leaks resulted in a catastrophic event; HSE said this was down to good fortune rather than good management.
Regulation 6(2) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998; section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
“The arrangements in place to detect and prevent corrosion were woefully inadequate, and the consequences could have been far more serious.”
Visual checks from ground level are not enough to find corrosion under insulation; insulation must be removed where needed to inspect the pipe beneath.
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