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Cut-out switch on tank was known to be faulty
Buncefield trail. Day 16: The fuel storage tank at the centre of the Buncefield disaster had had problems with its cut-out safety switch over a period of 18 months prior to the blast, the High Court heard.
Yet despite the switch being out of operation for periods of time, which meant there was no automatic cut-out in the event of overfilling, the tank was still routinely used to store fuel.
The court heard that on the night of blast the switch on tank 912 had been 'left in a non operational state by the last person to test it'.
Jonathan Tonks, operations manager and terminal safety advisor, was in the witness box for a second day.
Jonathan Sumption QC, acting for Chevron, referred to monthly testing reports on the switches, known as 'cobham' switches, from 2003 and 2004.
"It appears from the documentary records that there was a persistent problem with the cobham assembly in 911 and 912 extending intermittently over the best part of 18 months," he said.
"Did you know about it?"
Mr Tonks replied: "Not at the time."
Mr Sumption referred again to an incident in 2003 when a tank overfilled because of a stuck gauge and it was only the final cut-out switch that prevented a spill.
"That's exactly what happened in 2005 but the cobham was left in a non operational state by the last person to test it," he told the court.
The details have emerged in the row between Total and Chevron over who was responsible for the site.
The pair were partners in the joint venture Herfordshire Oil Storage Limited (HOSL) but Chevron is arguing Total was in fact in control and must pay for the damage caused by the disaster.
Residents and businesses are seeking damages of around 700million from Total and HOSL.
The trial continues.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Thursday 09 February 2012
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