Company fined GBP125000 following massive explosion and fire
November 4, 2009
A Kent-based waste oil storage company has been fined £125,000 following and a huge explosion and fire. The companys director was also prosecuted for the incident.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging employers storing hazardous substances in bulk tanks to fully assess the risks and implement the necessary controls to ensure staff and contract workers are safe.
Eco-Oil Ltd of Canterbury, Kent and Ian Malcolm Cross from Millbourne, Wickhambreaux, were each charged with breaching sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Maidstone Crown Court. They both pleaded guilty. The Court fined the company £125,000 and ordered it to pay costs of £20,000. Mr Cross was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £500.
The HSE investigation follows an incident on 30 March 2007 at Eco-Oils site in Kingsnorth Industrial Estate, Rochester. The waste oil storage and processing facility held many large tanks and on the day, major changes were being made to the plant. Contract worker Michael White was welding the roof of one tank, as part of the changes, when there was an explosion, followed by a large fire.
The tank that exploded contained approximately 300,000 litres of mixed lube oil and fuel. The efforts of the Fire Service prevented the fire spreading to adjacent tanks. Mr White sustained minor injuries to his leg.
Find out more about COSHH
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging employers storing hazardous substances in bulk tanks to fully assess the risks and implement the necessary controls to ensure staff and contract workers are safe.
Eco-Oil Ltd of Canterbury, Kent and Ian Malcolm Cross from Millbourne, Wickhambreaux, were each charged with breaching sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Maidstone Crown Court. They both pleaded guilty. The Court fined the company £125,000 and ordered it to pay costs of £20,000. Mr Cross was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £500.
The HSE investigation follows an incident on 30 March 2007 at Eco-Oils site in Kingsnorth Industrial Estate, Rochester. The waste oil storage and processing facility held many large tanks and on the day, major changes were being made to the plant. Contract worker Michael White was welding the roof of one tank, as part of the changes, when there was an explosion, followed by a large fire.
The tank that exploded contained approximately 300,000 litres of mixed lube oil and fuel. The efforts of the Fire Service prevented the fire spreading to adjacent tanks. Mr White sustained minor injuries to his leg.
Find out more about COSHH
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