Energy firm Total UK has been fined £1.4 million with over £34,000 in costs after a worker was killed by a fire at an oil refinery in North Lincolnshire.

Robert Greenacre, 24, from Grimsby, was working near a crude oil distillation unit just before the fire broke out at the Lindsey Oil Refinery (TLOR) in Immingham on 29 June 2010.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Total UK after an investigation found the fire was caused by an uncontrolled release of crude oil.

Hull Crown Court heard that Mr Greenacre was a contracted fitter working with a colleague beneath a distillation column containing hot crude oil.

The job required them to open equipment beneath the column. When an item of equipment was opened, the crude oil was released, igniting a short time later.

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While his work colleague managed to escape the scene suffering minor burns, Mr Greenacre did not and died beneath the column.

The court also heard operators of major accident hazard establishments must have in place a functioning system of risk assessment for all tasks where hazardous substances could be released.

It is understood operators should always try to eliminate risk through hazard avoidance.

In many circumstances this could be achieved by carrying out the task during shut-down conditions. Where this is not practicable, the highest achievable levels of isolation to industry standards are required.

Total UK pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 of the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH).

HSE Inspector John Moran said: "If Total had followed well established principles of risk assessment this major fire and the subsequent fatal injury to Robert Greenacre could have been easily prevented.

"Although the accident arose from a simple task, the magnitude of the risk was great. The risk should have been identified before the task started, and action taken to either eliminate or control it. This did not happen.

"Total UK Limited as operator in control of a major accident hazard establishment fell far short of the standard required of them."

(LM)