OfReg, the regulator of the fuels sector in the Cayman Islands, has released the findings of its investigation into to the fire at the SOL Jackson Point Bulk Oil Storage Terminal Facility on 23 July 2017.
The investigation concluded that given their expertise and resources, SOL did not take reasonable precaution to prevent the incident. These precautions are detailed in the relevant codes, standards and best practices adopted under the Dangerous Substances Law.
OfReg via its Fuels Team focused on public safety as its first priority: as one of the first responders to the incident and throughout its four-month investigation. Under its broader remit, the regulator has been engaging with industry and other relevant agencies such as the Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) and the Cayman Islands Fire Service to determine and implement a number of immediate measures to prevent such an incident from happening again, while at the same time ensuring the public is better informed and protected in the unlikely event of a recurrence.
OfReg recently launched a discussion paper on a new Emergency Notification System (ENS) that addresses how at-risk residents could be alerted in the future.
Duke Munroe, Head of Fuels at OfReg noted that a number of lessons had definitely been learned: “First and foremost, mitigation measures to minimise or eliminate risks associated with events such as these are being comprehensively reassessed. This has, and continues to be our mandate, and is paramount. Additionally, from this incident, it was apparent that a better system of issuing evacuation notices and identifying evacuation routes was needed, as well as more appropriate communications to first responders. From our inter-agency co-operation and communications with the HMCI, RCIPS and the Fire Service following this incident, we are able to make solid recommendations to increase the level of public safety awareness during events like these in the Cayman Islands,” he said.
OfReg will be exercising its regulatory powers following this investigation and is currently examining appropriate measures of a regulatory and compliance nature to impose on SOL.
The full report is available on the OfReg website at http://www.ofreg.ky/fuel/fuel-sector-incident-investigations.