Wider exclusion zone needed over gas leak

With large quantities of gas continuing to leak, the exclusion area around the North Sea Elgin platform should be extended, say unions.

Following the discovery of a gas leak at a platform run by Total, workers on the Elgin and neighbouring Rowan Viking rigs were evacuated by helicopter and a three-mile exclusion area was put in place.

However, responding to the concerns of members working just outside the current exclusion area, Unite argues that the exclusion area is not big enough and believes that an exclusion area of five miles is necessary.

Willie Wallace, regional officer for Unite, said: “In the case of the Franklin — normally an unmanned platform — we must question the urgency of putting a crew out there at this time, given its close proximity to the Elgin.”