News

Valero fined £400,000

Published

10 years ago

September 12, 2016

valero THE OPERATORS of one of the largest oil refineries in Europe have been fined £400,000 today (Sep 12) for breaching health and safety at work regulations.

Valero Energy UK Ltd must also pay £60,614 in prosecution costs as well as their own defence costs.

The company admitted breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act by failing to ensure a safe working environment.

Swansea Crown Court heard how David Thomas, now aged 55, fell from a walkway linked to an oil tanker being unloaded at Berth 6 at the Rhoscrowther refinery on March 5, 2012.

The access tower had suddenly descended and his legs became tangled in loose cables.

Rupert Lowe, prosecuting, said he ended up dangling over the side after a plunge of more than 10 feet.

But he managed to use his experience as a rock climber to remain calm and to grab hold of a cross beam to take the weight from his legs.

Mr Thomas was rescued by crew members from the tanker and Valero workers and taken to Withybush hospital, Haverfordwest, before being flown by air ambulance to Swansea’s Morriston hospital for specialised treatment to his injured legs.

Mr Lowe said he suffered fractures to both his legs and his left knee was dislocated. He spent 17 days in hospital and may one day need a replacement knee.

The injuries had proved to be permanent, added Mr Lowe, and Mr Thomas had now developed arthritis and had been unable to return to work.

The cause of the accident, said Mr Lowe, was the poor design of the access walkway, where there had been an accident in 2010 when, again, it descended without warning.

There were many mechanical difficulties, he added, and one was the tendency of the control cables to operate but not for the walkway to actually lower until someone stepped onto it.

A maintenance company employed by Valero had reported various issues over the years, and at one stage warned of “a potentially fatal accident waiting to happen.”

Mr Lowe said the prosecution accepted that Valero had responded to some of the issues raised by the maintenance company, but not adequately. A proper risk assessment had not been carried out, there had been insufficient training and instructions, previous incidents had not been investigated properly and some recommendations had not been acted upon.

Mark Watson, representing Valero, said the company had an excellent safety record and had inherited the walkway from Chevron, the previous owners of the refinery.

In hindsight, he said, it was the very design of the equipment that had led to the problems.

The walkway had since been mothballed and another system was under design.

Judge Peter Heywood said the breaches were serious, as were the injuries suffered by Mr Thomas.

”Clearly, this piece of equipment had problems from its inception. There were significant design problems,” he added.

But Valero had failed to “focus” properly after a series of incidents and the “strident” warning from the maintenance firm had proved to be true.

Mr Watson said the fine and costs order would be paid in full within 28 days.

News

Here is an improved version in a cleaner news style:

Published

3 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Students to get wider access to EMA support

MORE students in Pembrokeshire could soon qualify for a £40-a-week education grant as the Welsh Government expands eligibility for the Education Maintenance Allowance.

From September, an extra 1,500 students aged 16 to 18 across Wales will be able to claim the weekly payment, which is designed to help young people stay on in education.

Eluned Morgan MS welcomed the change, saying it would allow more families in Pembrokeshire to benefit from the support.

She said: “Wales already has the most generous EMA offer in the UK. Under a Tory government it was scrapped in England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland offer students less money than in Wales.

“EMA helps young people with costs like books, transport and meals – all things which can affect the cost of living for families.

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, so I am proud that, because of Welsh Labour choices, more students will be supported to do so.”

More than 18,000 students in Wales currently receive EMA, which is available to learners aged 16 to 18 from households below a set income threshold.

The Welsh Government said the latest expansion will mean even more young people can access weekly support from September.

Eluned Morgan said: “The Welsh EMA is breaking down barriers for learners in Pembrokeshire. Everybody deserves an equal opportunity to access education, and providing £40 a week to those eligible is one of the ways in which the Welsh Labour Government is making this a reality.

“Hundreds of learners in Pembrokeshire claim their EMA every year. At £40 a week, Welsh Labour delivers the most generous offer in the UK.

“I know this money makes a real difference for students and their families with the cost of living.

“And, of course, the Welsh Government’s £1 bus fare scheme for young people is helping to make the EMA go even further for families across Pembrokeshire.

“I would urge all 16 to 18-year-olds and their families in the county to take a few minutes to check whether they qualify for support.”

EMA can be used to help with education-related costs including transport, meals and study supplies.

Applications for the new EMA offer open on Monday (Apr 27).

Students and families can check eligibility and apply through Student Finance Wales, or speak to their school or college.

If you want, I can also turn this into a fuller Pembrokeshire Herald article with headline and subheading.

News

Emergency services respond to incident in Haverfordwest town centre

Published

4 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

EMERGENCY SERVICES were called to an incident in Haverfordwest town centre on Saturday morning (Apr 4), with police and ambulance crews attending near County Sports.

Pedestrians were asked to avoid part of the area while the incident was being dealt with, causing some disruption in the town centre.

A witness told The Herald they were walking towards Old Bridge when they were stopped from going through.

The witness said: “I was walking towards the Old Bridge and was told that I had to go around due to a medical emergency.”

The nature of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed.

The Herald understands the emergency response remained in place for some time as crews dealt with the situation.

We have contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.

News

Teenager intervenes after bridge incident

Published

4 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A TEENAGER was left shaken after stepping in to help a young woman in distress on Clay Lanes bridge in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Herald understands the 18-year-old was walking through Clay Lanes at around 4:10am when he noticed a young woman standing on the road bridge over the bypass.

Concerned that something was wrong, he approached her and tried to engage her in conversation. When she remained polite but dismissive, he walked a short distance away and called police before returning to stay nearby.

According to information passed to The Herald, officers arrived a short time later. It is understood the young woman then attempted to go over the bridge, but the teenager pulled her back to safety as police responded and called for further assistance.

His father, who contacted The Herald, said the young man had been badly shaken by the incident.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been approached for comment.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, support is available from Samaritans free of charge, 24 hours a day, on 116 123.

Image: File photo