A company faces a £350,000 fine following a chemical tank rupture that severely injured a contractor in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, in 2023.
The Incident
Hundreds of barrels of calcium chloride brine, a non-toxic substance used in oil and gas drilling, spilled when a corroded tank burst. Philip Moir, working as a contractor at the site, suffered multiple broken bones and chemical burns. Three years on, he continues to manage the lasting impacts.
Emergency Response
The Scottish Ambulance Service deployed three ambulances and a special operations team. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dispatched two fire appliances along with specialist equipment. Moir received treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, while four others at the scene got precautionary care. Authorities evacuated the site and paused operations temporarily.
Court Outcome
At Peterhead Sheriff Court, Tetra Technologies pleaded guilty to violating the Health and Safety at Work Act, resulting in the substantial penalty.
Victim’s Perspective
In a statement from law firm Digby Brown, Philip Moir expressed that the fine offers no real closure. “Tetra had a duty to ensure everything was safe, and clearly it wasn’t,” he said. “It’s honestly a miracle I wasn’t killed when the silo burst. Not only have I lost my career, but everything I planned for the future is now uncertain.”
Moir described the ordeal as profoundly life-altering. “This has been truly life-changing in the worst way imaginable, but I want to thank everyone who has supported me as I continue my recovery,” he added.
