News

Murco decommissioning: ‘Someone is going to die’ say whistle-blowers

Published

8 years ago

October 29, 2017

THE WORKFORCE doing the risky job of decommissioning the former Murco oil refinery were left in shock on Friday (Oct 20), when 24 members of staff received redundancy letters in the post completely out of the blue.

Staff said that a few of them had “been through this before when Murco originally closed”, and “now we are living the same nightmare again”.

But some of the members of staff given the axe have taken the opportunity to get into contact with The Pembrokeshire Herald to blow the whistle poor working conditions and health and safety concerns at the site.

A number of those affected by the lay-offs, which have come just weeks before Christmas, said that they were promised work until October 2018 at the time they commenced work with Waste Recycling and Decommissioning Ltd (WRD) from Sheffield and REM Engineering (REM), which has ISO 9001 accreditation, based in Failsworth, near Manchester

One engineer got in touch with The Pembrokeshire Herald to offer his views following his dismissal. He said: “WRD and REM are a complete joke.

“The managers and supervisors would not even give us decent explanation as to why we were let go, and it was all done with no warning what so ever.
“The company then on Monday morning (Oct 23) had all Mobile Elevating Work Platforms and Scissor Lifts shut down by Nationwide Platforms as the bill has not been paid.”

Others have expressed dissatisfaction at the lack of proper equipment on the site as well as health and safety standards.

Mr David Beardow, Managing Director of REM told The Herald in a brief emailed statement that “due to a change in the project programme and reduced daylight hours”, that it had been “necessary to reduce the workforce and equipment.”

He did not expand as to what the change in the project programme was and added in no uncertain terms: “No further comments or statements will be issued.”

‘A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS’

This newspaper was contacted by another member of staff, again this week, who said: “We are expected to work with the very minimum of equipment and most of this is broken or apparently on order. There have been a number of accidents which have just been brushed under the table due to a big accident earlier in the year where a local worker almost lost his life.
In an extraordinary email our source, who asked not to be named because of fears regarding future employment contracts added: “The site manager refers to us as ‘mongo farmers’ because we are Welsh, and he has, in my opinion, a total disregard towards health and safety. I personally have seen various health and safety failings which in my professional opinion may result in another an accident.”

The Herald was told: “This firm needs to be exposed as an unfit contractor to carry out the decommissioning of the former Murco refinery and Puma Energy needs to be made aware of this company’s short comings.”

The former employees’ warning was stark: “Plain and simple they are cowboys. Someone is going to die out there.”

Our source added: “The supervisors are labourers who have little or no experience in the oil and gas sector and have no clue what they are doing.

“We want answers and want to stop someone getting hurt on this job due to the company running it.
“We have been told that the client from Pakistan has not paid WRD or REM for six months or so, causing them cash flow problems.”

The Herald contacted Tony Fenwick, boss of WRD. The Managing Director told us on the telephone yesterday (Oct 26) that we should direct any questions to REM.

We asked REM the following question: How many accidents have occurred on the former Murco site since decommissioning began? And how serious were any injuries? How many staff members required medical treatment? But REM refused to comment on this the brief statement they sent us, but did not attempt to deny that our sources were accurate in their very serious allegations.

PASSING THE BUCK

In May, Dyfed-Powys Police were investigating an industrial accident at the former refinery. A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident, which happened shortly after 9am on Wednesday, May 31.

The worker became trapped while assisting with the dismantling of the site, but at the time WRD was quick to disassociate itself with the incident, directing our inquiries to Puma Energy, the new owners of the site.

Speaking at the time, a police spokesman said: “Dyfed-Powys Police, jointly with Health and Safety Executive, is investigating an industrial accident at Puma Energy, Milford Haven.”

The Herald was in contact with the police yesterday (Oct 26), who said that further inquiries about the progress of the investigation should be directed to the Health and Safety Executive who are now taking a lead in the case.

The Health and Safety Executive have confirmed they are dealing with an active investigation.

Emma Deeny, Communications Manager for the regulator said: ““The HSE investigation into this incident is ongoing.

She added: “We cannot comment further at this time.”

It was confirmed in May that the injured party was a contractor working on behalf WRD Ltd, and that the member of staff was not under the control of Puma Energy.

A spokesman for Puma Energy told The Herald at the time: “The incident was not on a working site under Puma Energy’s control, but was in the dismantling of the former refinery area within Milford Haven, which Puma Energy did not purchase. This is segregated from Puma Energy’s site by a fenced boundary and operates under its own safe systems of work.”

KEEPING SCHTUM

In relation to the redundancies, lack of equipment and health and safety concerns from staff, David Beardow, MD of REM also told this newspaper: “We will not comment on personal circumstances or commercial relationships.

“We have, and will continue to utilise local labour and suppliers.

“We continue to work with the local community and employ and provide comprehensive training for many employees from the Pembrokeshire area.

The statement from REM was short, lacked detail and disappointingly did not go any way to answer the serious allegations raised by former workers at the Murco site.

HEALTH AND SAFETY ‘CENTRAL’

On its website page REM Engineering paints a very professional image. The company states: “Health and safety is absolutely central to our business and you can be sure that when we are working on your premises or on your project, the safety of everyone involved is uppermost in our minds and in our processes.

“Our health and safety policy sets out responsibilities for managers, employees and sub-contractors so everyone knows what is required of them – and we provide continual health and safety training to help them achieve it.

“To assist us in putting our commitment to health and safety into action and maintaining the most rigorous standards, we use external auditors who visit our sites, unannounced; to check we are following procedures.

“Where we feel there is a need for a specialist response to the health and safety aspects of a particular project, we always call on the expert services of experienced consultants to support our own meticulous approach.

“We are proud of our teams’ safety track record on site. For larger projects where appropriate, we produce a comprehensive health and safety file.”

The website also boats: “We share risks and benefits; working together to trial and develop innovative solutions to service delivery to the benefit of our clients.”

Have you been unexpectedly been made redundant from the former Murco site? Are you able to give us more information – confidentially if you wish – which will help us develop this story? Please message us on Facebook. We always protect sources.

Local Government

Questions raised over horse riding licence fees ahead of scrutiny meeting

Published

2 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Officers’ comparison with Ceredigion challenged as published charges appear far lower

QUESTIONS are being raised over the way Pembrokeshire County Council has compared its horse riding establishment licence fees with neighbouring authorities, ahead of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Thursday (Jan 22).

The issue follows concerns previously raised by county councillor Huw Murphy, who has been scrutinising the charges faced by riding establishments in Pembrokeshire and the figures presented in defence of the current fee structure.

Minutes of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on Tuesday (Nov 25) record that the Head of Housing and Public Protection told members that the Council’s current fee for establishments with up to ten horses was £583, “compared to £570 in Ceredigion and £600 in Carmarthenshire”, with fees increasing incrementally based on size.

However, screenshots of Ceredigion’s published fees for horse riding establishments appear to show a different charging structure, with bands listed at £242 for up to five animals and £370 for six to 15 animals, with higher charges applying as numbers increase.

By contrast, Pembrokeshire’s published fees for riding establishments show a charge of about £583 for establishments with up to ten horses, rising to around £766 for up to 30 and around £1,112 for those over 30.

The apparent discrepancy has led to claims that the comparison cited to committee members was not a like-for-like reflection of what Ceredigion actually charges, particularly for smaller operations.

Councillor Murphy said he could not see where a £570 fee for up to ten horses in Ceredigion came from, and pointed instead to the published fee bands. He said Pembrokeshire’s charges appeared significantly higher than those elsewhere in west Wales.

Cllr Murphy sits on the Culture and Tourism Committee of the Local Government Association and says he feels a vibrant Pembrokeshire relies on successful small businesses and will always support measures that allows Pembrokeshire to compete with other areas of Wales to encourage more visitors.

It is understood that the matter is expected to return in some form during this week’s committee cycle, with members anticipating further questioning.

The minutes also record wider concerns raised at the November meeting about assumptions used within financial modelling, and a call for figures to be reviewed where projected activity levels appeared unrealistic or potentially misleading.

Pembrokeshire County Council has been approached for comment.

Crime

Appeal due over dog forfeiture order as community raises concerns

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Case listed at Swansea Crown Court following magistrates’ ruling in December

AN APPEAL is due to be heard at Swansea Crown Court in a long-running case involving a Pembrokeshire woman and the forfeiture of dogs following enforcement action by the county council.

Julia Goodgame has appealed against forfeiture orders made by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 11), after being prosecuted by Pembrokeshire County Council in connection with breaches of a Community Protection Notice.

The case is listed before the Crown Court for directions, with the appeal understood to relate specifically to the forfeiture orders imposed by magistrates. The council previously confirmed that four dogs were removed from the property and placed in an approved animal welfare centre following the court’s decision.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The defendant has appealed against the Forfeiture Orders which were made by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 11th.

“Pembrokeshire County Council will respond in due course. As the case is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

The appeal comes amid renewed concern from residents in the Bryn-y-Derwydd area of Trefin, who say they feel frustrated by what they describe as a lack of effective enforcement while the legal process continues.

***There were protests in Trefin over her dogs in 2025***

Members of the local community allege that conditions linked to the property have deteriorated again, raising environmental health concerns. Residents claim the situation has had a wider impact on neighbouring homes, including reports of vermin and unpleasant odours, and say they feel their complaints are not being adequately addressed.

The Herald understands that council officers, including environmental health, are aware of the ongoing issues but are limited in what action can be taken while court proceedings remain live.

The Crown Court hearing is expected to clarify the scope of the appeal and set out how the matter will proceed. Further reporting restrictions may apply depending on the court’s directions.

This newspaper will continue to follow the case and report developments as they can be lawfully published.

Community

Excellent ratings for respite centre supporting children with disabilities

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE respite centre supporting children and young people with disabilities has been rated ‘excellent’ in all areas by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).

Following a recent inspection, Holly House in Haverfordwest achieved the top rating for wellbeing, care and support, environment, and leadership and management.

The result marks a significant turnaround for the service, which had previously been classed as a service of concern. CIW said the move to an excellent rating reflected sustained improvement driven by highly effective leadership focused on children’s safety and wellbeing.

In its report, CIW noted: “The Responsible Individual (RI) provides excellent strategic direction and demonstrates a clear commitment to continuous improvement, while the manager is skilled and proactive in maintaining high standards. Oversight of the service is robust and has driven significant improvements, resulting in positive outcomes for children’s wellbeing.”

Inspectors highlighted the choice, independence and opportunities offered to children who attend the centre, saying they are supported to feel safe, valued, and involved in decisions about their care. The report also praised strong relationships with families, with plans in place to build on this work and expand activities and community trips.

Feedback from families was described as highly positive, with all survey respondents rating care and support as excellent.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Head of Children’s Services, Chris Frey-Davies said: “The Council is delighted to hear the outcome of the recent CIW inspection of Holly House. Achieving excellent ratings across all four themes is an incredible accomplishment and a true testament to the dedication and leadership within Holly House.

“As highlighted by CIW inspectors, to move from a position of significant concern to sustained excellence speaks volumes about the commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing at every level.”

Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Well-being and Future Generations, Cllr Marc Tierney, congratulated the team and said the report underlined the importance of the service to local families.

“It is clear to see that the young people who attend Holly House really do benefit from the quality of care provided by our hardworking, dedicated team,” he said.

“I want to thank them for their role in supporting our young people, which also provides essential respite for local families from their caring responsibilities. This external report puts on record the high quality of this provision and underlines that our young people are at the heart of this vital service.”