BP says Grangemouth ethanol contractors to return to work

19 July 2001 17:08  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--UK-headquartered oil and chemical giant BP said Thursday that contractors working on its ethanol project in Grangemouth, Scotland have agreed to return to work at 07:30 hours (06:30 GMT) tomorrow.

Some 300 contractors left the site following complaints about odours on Monday (16 July). The contractors were complaining that they could smell benzene, a carcinogen.

BP advised the contractors at meetings today that it is safe to return to work. It said an investigation by the Grangemouth site's occupational hygiene team concluded that exposure to benzene over the entire working day at the site does not present a health risk. Levels of benzene in the atmosphere were found to be well below the recommended exposure levels of 3 ppm (part per million) averaged over an 8 hour period.

The company traced the source of the odours to a slops tank containing hydrocarbons close to the ethanol construction site. Site engineers are currently investigating the tank relief valves to see if any corrective work needs to be done, said BP.

The 110 000 tonne/year 'ethanol 4' project at Grangemouth is 85% complete and is expected onstream at the end of the year.

By: Russell Ong
+44 208 652 3214

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