Leicester Based Company Prosecuted for Neglecting Fire Risk
In a recent case of workplace negligence, a Leicester based haulage company was held guilty for causing a huge fire risk by storing large quantities of flammable aerosols illegally. The firm was found to have lapsed in tackling with the risks involved in storage of huge quantities of aerosols at its Leicestershire based Hilltop Industrial Estate site.
In course of prosecution, the court came to know that the company had stored huge quantities of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) for over six months. It not only failed to inform the authorities of the same but also failed to conduct a risk assessment as well as perform other necessary practices.
The company, A. M. Widdowson & Son Ltd, was charged under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 6(2) of the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH). The company pleaded guilty to the same before Coalville Magistrates Court, after which it was fined £5,000 in addition to costs of £4,900.
James Wright, the HSE inspector in this case, said that given the amount of aerosols stored by the company, it had failed to have adequate arrangements in place. At the time of the HSE check, the amount of LPG stored by the company was found to pose a threat to safety of employees as well as the people in neighbouring areas. The company had also failed to notify HSE that they are conducting operations that would fall under the COMAH Regulations.
This case will remind businesses dealing with aerosols to prevent mishaps by providing for adequate safety measures, or face prosecution by HSE.
Companies need to be sure that they are giving the correct instructions with effective policies around health and safety decisions. Fire Risk Assessment will benefit organisations in enabling them to understand their responsibilities for fire safety, and put in place measures to control the risks of fire as required under legislation.
