TWO companies have admitted Health and Safety charges in connection with the then Chevron refinery explosion which killed four people in 2011.

Valero Energy UK Ltd - which now owns the Pembroke refinery - and B&A Contracts Ltd appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates court this afternoon (Thursday), October 11.

They will be sentenced on November 2 at Swansea Crown Court.

B&A Contracts Ltd admitted charges of, from October 6, 2010- June 3, 2011, at Pembroke Refinery, as an employer, failing to ensure the health and safety and welfare at work of all employees, including Andrew Jenkins and Robert Broome, from risks arising from the provision of industrial tank 17-T-302 in the Amine Recovery Unit for scheduled inspection and maintenance.

B&A also admitted a charge of, on the same dates, failing to ensure non-employees were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

Valero admitted a charge of, from February 17, 1999 to June 3, 2011, failing to ensure the health and safety and welfare at work of all employees, in that risks arising from work carried in the vicinity of atmosphere made flammable by hydrocarbon contamination of tanks within the Amine Recovery Unit.

Valero also admitted a charge of, failing to ensure non-employees were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

At the time of the incident the refinery was operated by Chevron Limited, but ownership changed in August 2011.

Prosecuting under Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, James Bennett said: “This is the first appearance in this case; the prosecution arises out of the explosion shortly after 6pm on June 2, 2011 at the Pembroke Refinery.”

Speaking to a packed courthouse, he added; “Four workers died, and a fifth was seriously injured, and members of their families are here today.”

After detailing the charges, he added: “The prosecution allegation includes system failures and these failures were causative of the deaths and injuries to five workers.

“By whatever means this is a case which out to be dealt with in the crown court.”

Dennis Riley, 52, Robert Broome, 48, Andrew Jenkins, 33, and Julie Jones, 54, died in June 2011 when a storage tank exploded.

A fifth worker, Andrew Phillips, was severely injured.