Once Again, Shell Assurances on Safety Called into Question

national | environment | other press Tuesday March 06, 2007 12:33 by Shell to Sea

Shell safety record in North Sea takes a hammering

Apologists for Shell in the Corrib Gas dispute often quote the company's assurances on safety as if they were unquestionable. Shell likes to portray itself as a large company with a strong commitment to safety, especially the safety of its workers.

However, continuing judgements against Shell tell a different story, as this Guardian article from yesterday shows. Some commmentators say the dismal safety record of the company shows that there is a policy within Shell of weighing up the potential cost of paying out damages for death or injury against the cost of implementing safety measures. When the former is less than the latter, Shell is prepared to put lives at risk, showing that the company's main concern is its profit margin, and that this comes a long way before woorrying about safety.

Shell safety record in North Sea takes a hammering

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2026499,00.html

· Oil group given repeated warnings about rigs
· Critics fear neglect as end of commercial life nears

Terry Macalister
Monday March 5, 2007
The Guardian

Shell has been repeatedly warned by the Health and Safety Executive about the poor state of its North Sea platforms, according to information obtained by the Guardian.

The company's dismal record undermines Shell's public commitment to improve its performance after a fatal explosion on the Brent field in the North Sea in 2003 and raises further concerns about Britain's ageing oil and gas equipment.

As recently as November 13, Shell - one of Britain's largest companies - was served with a rebuke and a legal notice that it was failing to operate safely.....

Full article can be found at URL below -Ed