Court action for refinery bosses

The plant is the only refinery in Scotland

The owners of Grangemouth's oil refinery have been accused of breaching health and safety and environmental legislation, it has emerged.

Site operator Ineos faces court action after oil from the plant polluted the River Forth in July and August 2007.

The company also faces action dating from November 2006 when a worker sustained burns as a result of an explosion in the refinery.

Both cases are due to be heard at Falkirk Sheriff Court.

Ineos are accused of causing or permitting Ondeo Industrial Solutions - a company in charge of the site's water and wastewater infrastructure - to discharge 90 milligrams of oil per litre of water into the River Forth through an emergency flume meant for use under storm conditions.

Ondeo hold a 20-year contract to manage water supplies at the plant, and employ around 30 staff.

Cases continued

The health and safety charge alleges that Ineos failed to carry out a full risk assessment after an employee was injured.

The alleged breach on 3 November 2006, relates to a worker who was using a jackhammer to remove a concrete plinth and was burned following an explosion.

Three other companies - Jacobs Engineering Ltd, Watson Norie Ltd, and the now defunct RGS UK Ltd - also face similar charges in connection with the incident.

The cases against Ineos were continued without plea until May at a hearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court.

Up to 1,200 workers at the Grangemouth refinery plan to strike from Sunday over plans to end the final salary pension scheme for new workers.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) confirmed there was a case against Ineos in relation to an oil spill that covered several miles of water and threatened wildlife in the Firth of Forth last year.

The public were warned to stay away from an ecologically sensitive site along a four-mile stretch between Grangemouth and Blackness.

Oil was washed up on the foreshore between Longannet and Valleyfield in Fife and as far east as the Forth bridges and South Queensferry.

The SEPA spokeswoman added: "As there are court proceedings ongoing it is not possible to comment further at this time."