Shutdown over

CONSTRUCTION work on Total’s new £800 million gas plant at Sullom Voe resumed on Monday afternoon following a four-day shutdown after a site injury last week.

On Thursday afternoon a man was rushed to the Gilbert Bain Hospital after breaking a bone when a piece of equipment fell on his foot.

Main contractors Petrofac immediately stopped construction work as part of their “stand down for safety” policy while safety practices were reviewed.

A spokesman for Petrofac said people returned to work in phases and the entire site was active again by the middle of Monday.

“You’ve got to take safety extremely seriously,” the spokesman said. “Obviously the aspiration is for there to be no injuries whatsoever, and when you’ve got large numbers of people working in an environment that’s intrinsically hazardous, that’s an indication that it’s worth reviewing and reflecting on safety practices.”