ESG
Health and safety
Commitment to HSE
ERL Fuels is committed to achieving excellence in Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) and community engagement. Excellence through providing and maintaining safe and healthy working conditions and following the best operating practices to protect the environment.
Our goal is to have no harm to people, to maintain a sustainable environment and to institutionalise a culture of safety in the organisation.
We will make continuing efforts to:
- Demonstrate visible commitment towards health, process safety, personal safety and environment across all levels of management.
- Comply with, and where feasible, exceed the applicable legal requirements.
- Continuously recognise hazards and assess health, safety and environmental risks in our operations through audits, risk assessments and review of standard operating procedures and take steps to mitigate risks.
- Minimise pollution, reduce our environmental footprint and optimise natural resource consumption.
- Promote a positive safety culture amongst all employees and other stakeholders.
- Foster continual improvement, benchmark our HSE performance, adopt best practices in HSE and ensure learning from incidents is embedded into our management system.
- Include health, process safety, personal safety and environmental performance in the appraisal of employees and reward accordingly.
- Extend HSE good practices in all spheres of our operations including outside of plants during travel, in office, during sales and marketing related activities and off the job.
- Increase health, process safety, personal safety, environmental awareness and competence through training to ensure all staff have an understanding of how these can affect their role and the business.
- Monitor performance of health, process safety, personal safety and environment via KPIs and review this information to improve performance.
- Respect and engage effectively with neighbours in the local community.
- Engage with business partners and suppliers to manage HSE in line with this policy.
HSE is everyone’s responsibility and central to every business planning and decision making process.
Endorsement and implementation at Stanlow Manufacturing Complex
The implementation of the Eastham Group HSE policy is the collective responsibility of every ERL Fuels and business partner employee at the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex. Our commitment to adhere to site rules, standards, processes and procedures prevents both personal and process safety incidents and injuries.
This requirement is supported by the arrangements documented in Stanlow’s HSE management system and the Trade HSE standards ETS700. Arrangements for applying this policy to major accident hazards are documented in the Process Safety Policy.
We measure our performance and set targets for improvement.
We include HSE competency in the appraisal of all staff.
Goal Zero
Goal Zero captures the belief we can operate without injuries or significant incidents despite the often difficult conditions in which we operate. To support this aim we continue to roll out initiatives such as improving the safety leadership skills of staff, simplifying our requirements, and rewarding successful performance.
Life-Saving Rules
Our mandatory 12 Life-Saving Rules reinforce what employees and contractors must know and do to prevent serious injury or significant incident: for example, wear seat belts and do not speed or use mobile phones – even hands-free – while driving.
Golden rules
These three simple rules make it clear how ERL Fuels employees and contractors are expected to behave.
- Comply with the law, standards and procedures
- Intervene in unsafe or non-compliant situations
- Respect our neighbours
The rules emphasise individual responsibility while encouraging staff to intervene to help their colleagues and respect neighbours.
Safety continues to be among critical sustainability priorities at Eastham Oil UK. We make continuing efforts to recognise hazards, assess health and safety risks in our operations and take steps to mitigate those risks.
ERL Fuel’s business revolves around constructing and operating very large assets carrying oil and refined products, These are potentially hazardous by nature and it is therefore critical that all possible steps are taken to protect employees and others in the vicinity of these assets.
The key objective is to build a cultural focus on preventative health and safety from the top down – to stop accidents before they can occur.
Safety is paramount
The health and safety of Stanlow’s employees and contractors are of the utmost importance. A dynamic safety improvement plan and ongoing campaigns to increase safety awareness, based on the premise that all accidents are preventable and can be eliminated, has led to continuous improvement and a series of industry awards.
In recent years Stanlow has consistently achieved lost time Injury records – the number of man-hours lost through injury – well below the UK industry average.
In 2012, Stanlow achieved 10 million man-hours without a ‘lost time’ injury and 1 million hours without a recordable injury.
Eastham maintains gold level performance at RoSPA Health and Safety Awards 2022
Eastham Oil UK achieved the highest accolade for the fourth year in a row at the 2022 RoSPA Health and Safety Awards for our health and safety performance at our Stanlow refinery in Ellesmere Port.
The annual awards, organised by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, are the longest-running industry awards scheme of any type in the UK and assess companies on their health and safety standards, benchmarked against year-on-year performance and best-in-class criteria globally. The awards are held every year and recognise hundreds of companies across the UK operating in high hazard industries.
Eastham is committed to delivering the highest level in health and safety excellence, by building a culture of safety across its operations and continually enhancing its behaviours and processes.
Our Stanlow refinery is one of the UK’s largest and leading oil refineries, supplying 16% of all road transport fuels and aviation fuel to several major airports including Manchester and Liverpool. It employs over 700 staff an additional 800 on-site contractors.
Jon Barden, Chief Operating Officer at Essar Oil UK, said: “Our business requires us to appropriately manage the risks and meet the expectations of all stakeholders. To deliver this all of us need to have continuous commitment to keeping ourselves and our colleagues safe. We are pleased to maintain this standard for another year running at Stanlow. This is a collective achievement for the Stanlow team and I thank every individual for their contributions to this outcome. As a business, we operate in an inherently high-risk environment, and that’s why health and safety is a continuous focus for everyone at Eastham.”
Fire and security
The use of flares
Flares are important safety devices used as part of refining and petrochemical processes. They are used throughout the industry as a safety mechanism to ensure process units do not exceed safety limits.
Emergency Response & Security (ERS)
Safety is an absolute priority at Stanlow, and we ensure all practicable steps are taken to prevent incidents of any type.
We have emergency plans in place to minimise the effects of any incident and our own full-time emergency response service based at the site. Our specialist teams are equipped with an extensive fleet of sophisticated vehicles and range of equipment and are on duty on a 24-hour basis, every day of the year.
We have a team of 32 full time staff providing immediate response to potential emergencies, with additional security support from a dedicated team of 10 personnel, to assist with day to day running of the refinery gates.
Key responsibilities
The team provides key advice, expertise, specialised equipment and an expert fire and security service to keep the Stanlow Manufacturing complex operating safely and securely. They also provide medical cover, with patients assessed if necessary by shift medics and treated accordingly.
They provide training and promote a clear and consistent attitude towards fire safety and security
Experience
The team members, many of whom have formerly been employed by the British forces and County Fire Brigades, are highly experienced and have qualifications with the following organisations:
- Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) ranging from Level 1 to member status
- Fire Risk Assessors
- International Professional Security Association (IPSA)
- IFEDA fire extinguisher engineer
- FREC 3 Qualified
Training
TFS members undertake constant training programmes, enabling a rapid response to any potential situation. They also offer comprehensive training to onsite personnel on the following subjects:
- Breathing apparatus
- Air trailer training
- Escape set (MSA miniSCAPE)
- Heightec rope rescue users qualification
- Confined space awareness training (attendants and entrants)
- Instant aid
- Defibrillator
- Office fire training
- Fire extinguisher training including live fire fighting
- Site emergency control centre training
Local community and beyond
TFS help with emergency services in our neighbouring communities and beyond and have a close relationship with local emergency services and external agencies.
They have an ‘adopt a watch’ scheme with the local county fire brigade and have built strong partnerships with all blue light services. They offer support during emergency situations that often occur off site, or within the surrounding local community. Incidents such as road traffic collisions, the vast majority of which are on external perimeter roads, are handed over to the county police, fire, or ambulance service as soon as they arrive.
The firefighting team is always available for emergency standby as and when required.
Security duties
Our security duties come in many forms. From site access and control to the identification, detection, deterrence and prevention of potential security threats.
Site Speed
The 20-mph site speed limit is enforced strictly using home office approved and calibrated speed check devices.
Safety information for local residents
To view our Stanlow and Tranmere site safety information and emergency instructions click here:
Community
Caring about our Communities
Through the community programme, the Group aims to be a catalyst for positive change in society. Working with and supporting our local communities through partnerships with agencies and charities, activity is delivered in line with our programme themes of education, environment, wellbeing and community
Environment
Protecting the environment is more important than ever as movement is made towards a carbon neutral world and more sustainable future. The Group supports the Cheshire Wildlife Trust by providing a base for them at the Company owned Holly Bank House and Gowy Meadows woodland area. This spring, work with them provided a range of activities for over 130 children and teachers to learn about protecting and working with the natural environment. Each activity was linked to either the Science or PSHCE curriculum for the relevant year group and follow-on visits took place with schools to embed the learning, The Trust also delivered Family Woodland Experience Sessions for our colleagues and a number of families took part in this woodland activity. The Cheshire Wildlife Trust continue to support the Gowy Meadows and working together, this provides a popular local recreation site and a place where visitors can learn more about the natural environment.
Education
The Group’s educational programme provides support to children from a range of backgrounds and stages in their academic life. Focused on inspiring a passion for STEM-based subjects, initiatives highlight opportunities and showcase the science involved in future job roles available to them as they grow older. Engagement activities have been limited because of the pandemic and a new programme is being developed in partnership with Passion for Learning for 2022-23. The Group continues to support the Fred Venables Higher Education Trust which supports students most in need with grants in the critical period as they transition from school and home to further and higher education. This focused support is especially for students from challenging backgrounds. Grants average £700 and in February, seven students received grants from the Trust. Students benefitting from this funding come predominantly from Whitby High School, Neston High School, Ellesmere Port Catholic High School and Ellesmere Port Church of England College.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing is a key priority across all parts of society and the Group understands the important role that sport can play as everyone recovers from the pandemic. The Group has an occupational health centre for the wellbeing of colleagues and the experienced Occupational Health Team proactively manages programmes designed to support the health and wellbeing of colleagues. This includes monthly wellbeing advice information, one to one support and direct interventions to respond to emerging themes or issues. The Group also supports the Chester Half Marathon and it was great to see around 4,000 runners, including around 50 Eastham colleagues, participating in this year’s 40th Anniversary event. The event also includes a Family Fun Run which encourages children to engage with support. The half marathon follows the ERL Fuels supported Four Villages Half Marathon which sees 1,500 runners each year pass close by our site as they complete their 13-mile course.
Community
Working collaboratively with our local community is a priority for the Group as it recognises the significant contribution and impact that our operations can have on them. Bi-annual Community Liaison Panel meetings are held and this provides the opportunity to hear from the parish councils of fenceline communities, local councillors, the local authority, the regional teams from our regulators and our Member of Parliament. The event provides invaluable insight to the Group about the local communities’ concerns and helps opportunities to be developed in a collaborative way. Representatives of the Group support the Ellesmere Port Development Board which brings business, the local authority, public sector representatives and charities together to support the development of Ellesmere Port. The Chair of Board, Chris Farrow, recently retired and the Group would like to take this opportunity to formally thank him for his invaluable contribution to the Board. The Group also continues to provide support to Entep Properties. Established to provide a space for start-up businesses in our local community, the Company now hosts a range of small successful businesses and is considering development plans for the coming years. Proud shirt sponsors of Tranmere Rovers Football Club, this partnership also reaches into the local community where the Group regularly collaborates with the club’s registered charity ‘Tranmere Rovers in the Community’ to deliver its community outreach programme and initiatives.
Northampton Terminal
Northampton Fuel Terminal is owned by Infrastructure North Ltd (INL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Essar Midlands Ltd (EML).
It has eight main storage tanks, four horizontal ethanol storage tanks and a total storage capacity of 28.6m litres. The terminal is pipeline fed and there are five loading bays which allows approx. 80 road loadings daily.
Northampton Terminal currently stores gasoline, unleaded BOB, gasoline super unleaded and diesel.
Essar is currently investing to make commercial grades of kerosene and gasoil available, from Q2 and Q3 of the current calendar year respectively. The terminal is operated for INL by px group, who provides innovative operations management, engineering services and energy management solutions to Essar.
There are eight employees at Northampton, supported by contractors, operating in six shifts and running a 24-hour, 7-day a week operation, 52-weeks of the year.
For any product availability enquiries, please email us at: commercial.sales@easthamrefinerylimited.com
UK Oil Pipeline (UKOP) system
Eastham Refinery is a shareholder in the UK Oil Pipeline system.
UKOP transports 9.5 billion litres of product each year from ingress points at import terminals on the Thames and Eastham refinery and egress points into, West London, Hemel Hempstead and Kingsbury as well as a spur to Northampton Terminal.
The pipeline is operated and maintained by UKOP’s Agent, the British Pipeline Agency (BPA). UKOP is currently owned by a consortium of five shareholders – Essar Midlands Ltd, BP, Shell, Valero and Total.
It consists of two pipelines that link the Thames in the south with Stanlow refinery in the North West, via terminals at Hemel Hempstead, Northampton and Kingsbury.
Carrington
Located on the Manchester Ship Canal, just upstream from the Cadishead Viaduct, is LyondellBasell’s polypropylene facility. A common user berth has facilities to load or discharge propylene from a ship should the normal pipeline supply from Stanlow be interrupted or insufficient.
The jetty is the property of the Port of Manchester and is subject to their regulations and bylaws.
It is approved by H.M. Customs and Excise for the loading and unloading of liquid gases by direct transfer via pipeline to on-site storage.
Marine facilities associated with the Essar Oil UK Stanlow Manufacturing Complex comprise three distinct facilities. These are:
Cross-country pipelines
Some of Stanlow’s products are distributed via direct pipelines to Manchester Airport and also via the UK Oil Pipeline (UKOP) network to the Midlands and London.
Essar Oil UK has a dedicated pipeline team that manage the operation and maintenance of several nationally critical under-ground pipelines. These include:
- Essar’s crude oil pipeline from Tranmere to Stanlow
- Essar’s propylene pipeline from Stanlow to Carrington
Ensuring the integrity and safety of these pipelines is the team’s number one priority and this is achieved through surveillance (from land and air), in-built monitoring systems and routine inspection. Essar Oil UK also work closely with local authorities, land-owners, the emergency services and other third parties.
Essar Oil UK are actively involved with UKOPA – United Kingdom On-shore Pipelines Operators Association – with several team members participating in a variety of working groups where best practice is shared and developed.
Opened in 1969, the UKOP system stretches from the Mersey down to the Thames Estuary linking to London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport.
International Supply & Trading (IST)
International supply and trading (IST) is the commercial face for Essar Oil UK when it comes to sourcing feedstock and distributing products in the international market. It boosts Essar’s value through several functions, such as supply of feedstocks, trading logistics and risk management.
To maintain a diverse diet, crude oil is sourced from different regions such as The North Sea, West Africa, North America and The Mediterranean. Logistics operations ensure vessels load the crude and transport it in a timely and economic manner to Tranmere from where it is discharged and dispatched to Stanlow refinery for processing. Refinery products are sold to both domestic and international customers. Apart from importing crude oil for processing, IST also deals in finished products such as diesel to serve additional demand in the country.
The risk management team ensures that price exposure to a volatile oil and product price is controlled.
Operations, credit and financing teams manage the trading execution, liaising with external counterparties, authorities and internally with refinery, treasury and other support functions.
Certifications and memberships
Eastham Oil UK conforms to international standards in all stages of production. Product quality release processes and internal quality management systems ensure that from feedstock selection through the manufacturing process to final release, products always meet customer expectations.
Stanlow road transport fuels; petrol and diesel, are certified respectively to British Standards BS EN228 and BS EN590. They meet the most stringent regulatory requirements for supply within the European Union.
Aviation fuel (Jet A-1) is certified to UK MOD Defence Standard 91-91, the internationally recognised standard for Jet A-1 aviation fuel for use in commercial aircraft.
Eastham Oil (UK) Ltd has been certified by HM Revenue & Customs as an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO). AEO is an internationally recognised quality mark indicating that Essar Oil UK’s role in the international supply chain is secure and that EOUKL’s customs controls and procedures are efficient and tax compliant.
Management systems certifications
Eastham Oil UK management systems for production and supply of petroleum products conform to the following standards and are certified/accredited as appropriate:
Quality management ISO 9001
Environmental management ISO 14001
Inspection management ISO/IEC 17020
Memberships
The UKPIA is an association of eight member companies engaged in the downstream oil industry in the UK. It represents their interests on a host of common issues such as refining, distribution and marketing. The association also leads the industry’s position on various legislative issues.
The CIA represents chemical and pharmaceutical businesses across the UK. The Association focuses on influencing policy agenda across various industry issues and providing advice and professional services to its members. This includes training, handling and implementing new regulations.
The FPS Limited is the Trade Association for the oil distribution industry and ancillary interests in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It provides members with a collective voice for the industry at national level, services to assist members in optimising their business efficiencies and promotes best practice in the industry.
