Multigas 'implements recommendations' following blast

Multigas Ltd said yesterday it had held an internal inquiry into the accident that occurred on April 10 when a cylinder filled with compressed air exploded and ripped through the roof of its gas plant in Kirkop.

The inquiry report was forwarded to the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA).

The company has commissioned a world renowned cylinder expert with an international reputation to investigate the accident. His findings were also presented to the OHSA.

The company said it accepted both reports and implemented the recommendations made. It has always been compliant with all applicable laws and regulations of Malta and the EU, it added.

The OHSA yesterday published a copy of the e-mail sent by the director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Jukka Takala, to the chief executive of the OHSA, Mark Gauci.

The letter described the actions taken by the plant operator and the OHSA as "consistent with the good practices in incident investigation".

"I also note that actions continue to be taken by the operators to address the root causes in order to put in place appropriate remedial actions to prevent re-occurrence and that the OHSA is appropriately involved in monitoring the situation," Mr Takala wrote.