Report of a major 2005 accident offers business continuity insights
The Buncefield oil depot accident of December 2005 provides an example of the impact major accidents can have on business continuity
On 11 December 2005 fuel escaped from storage at the Buncefield Oil Storage Depot in Hertfordhsire, England. It vaporized, forming a flammable mixture which subsequently ignited at around 06.00 that morning with devastating consequences. At 06.01, the first explosion occurred, followed by further explosions and a large fire that engulfed more than twenty large storage tanks.
Significant damage occurred to both commercial and residential properties in the vicinity and a large area around the site was evacuated on emergency services advice. About 2,000 people were evacuated. Sections of the M1 motorway were closed. The fire burned for several days, destroying most of the site and emitting large clouds of black smoke into the atmosphere, dispersing over southern England and beyond. Large quantities of foam and water were used to control the fire, with risks of contaminating water courses and ground water.
The Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board has published thirty-two recommendations covering:
* Assessing the potential for a major incident
* Managing a major incident on site
* Preparing for and responding to a major incident off site
* Recovering from a major incident.
Mike Smith and Martin Haines of the Derby. U.K.-based LINK Associates International write that the off-site implications are of special interest as the incident at Buncefield provides an example of the impact major accidents can have on business continuity. The shear scale of the incident and its impact upon local, regional, and national infrastructure meant that the repercussions were felt in many places. Note that within the report are many observations and comments relating to national and regional response arrangements which have to be implemented under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.
