UNIONS have demanded petroleum giants Esso and ExxonMobil listen to the fears of their workers that a major accident could occur at Fawley oil refinery.

Their call came as the Daily Echo's exclusive report on a damning Government health and safety investigation into Britain's biggest refinery made headlines across the world.

American news services last night reported ExxonMobil's denials that the giant complex, on the edge of Southampton Water, was unsafe.

Under-reporting of minor accidents, ageing infrastructure, lack of maintenance and a blame culture were among workers' major concerns, according to the leaked Health and Safety Executive inspection report.

Two of Britain's biggest unions - which represent hundreds of Fawley workers - yesterday said the Texas-based firm must respond immediately to the worrying findings.

Bob Stokes, a senior organiser for GMB, which represents Fawley sub-contractors, pictured below, said his union had previously raised with Fawley bosses many of the issues highlighted in the report.

Mr Stokes said he was not surprised HSE inspectors had discovered there was an expectation among some workers that a major accident could occur.

"Not only have I worked there but I also live close to the site, so if there was a major disaster in there, which I think there could be, the consequences could be tremendous for the surrounding area," he said.

Mr Stokes backed claims that some workers did not report accidents or near misses for fear of being blamed by senior management.

"For quite a long time they boasted about what wonderful accident statistics they have got, which has always given us cause for concern because we are aware that there is pressure put on people not to report some of the more minor incidents," he said.

"There needs to be more emphasis on prevention and more recording near miss situations, because that is the sort of thing that actually helps prevent accidents occurring.

"It's common sense really, but because of the pressure on both the contracting companies and the individuals to keep the statistics low it doesn't happen."

The HSE's Human Factors Inspection Report was the result of a two-day audit held with about 78 employees on January 8 and 9 and a feedback meeting on January 29.

The most concerning finding for residents living close to the refinery is the fear of some staff that ageing infrastructure is making the plant a danger.

Mr Stokes confirmed some workers were concerned about a lack of maintenance on the 57-year-old refinery. He said: "It needs a lot of money spent on it on a long term basis."

Action plan The HSE has given refinery bosses until June 3 to draw up an action plan addressing their workers' concerns.

Esso and ExonMobil said action teams of staff from all levels were being set up to better understand any concerns expressed in the report.

A spokesman for the union Unite, which represents many full-time Fawley staff, said: "We welcome the intervention by the HSE in response to the points raised by the workforce and we intend to co-operate fully with the working parties that have been set up.

"We agree with the HSE that a response by the companies must be effective and prompt."

However, Terry Abbott, regional manger for UCATT, which represents Fawley construction sub-contractors, said Fawley was in fact one of the safest construction sites in the country.

Esso and ExxonMobil have rejected any claims the plant is unsafe and said: "We take the safety of our people and of the local community seriously. We have rigorous safety procedures in place and are regularly inspected by the Health and Safety Executive as to the safety of our plant and processes."