PDO is in the business of producing hydrocarbons and you would be forgiven for thinking that the majority of our fires would involve processing equipment. However over half of our fires had nothing to do with our processing of hydrocarbons. The main cause of these non-process fires was from electrical appliances; tube lights catching fire was top followed by exhaust fans and then other equipment such as TVs, receivers, water coolers and heaters. Most caught fire after being left on continuously for long periods of time. From registered fire incidents in 2015 alone, almost 50% are due to electrical causes. |
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Another disturbing cause of these non-process fires is smoking and inconsiderate discarding of cigarettes butts into waste bins or skips which already contain combustible materials. These lead to the contents igniting and subsequent damage to the asset, disturbance to people, use of the firefighting resources and possible injuries.
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At least 3 fires were due to acts of vandalism and sabotage. In 2011, two incidents occurred within one month where locals intentionally set waste skids on fire and in 2010, a bus driver of a contracting company working for PDO intentionally set his own bus on fire!!
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