Fatal Glasgow Factory Blast "Avoidable"

An inquiry into an explosion at a plastics factory in Glasgow, which
killed 9 people, concluded it to be "an avoidable tragedy".

The incident which occurred in May 2004 at ICL Plastics Ltd and its
associate company ICL Tech Ltd also injured about 40 workers after the
explosion flattened the factory in the Maryhill area of the city.

The inquiry found that the blast was undoubtedly caused by a leak from
an old underground metallic pipe, which was carrying liquefied
petroleum gas.

The pipe was corroded due to being buried without proper protection
and the report found that the management of the two companies had
shown a lack of understanding concerning LPG and the risk of
explosion.

The report also mentioned that there were deficiencies in the HSE's
oversight of the site with a failure to understand the risk of
underground pipes and to promptly carry out the follow up visits.

Lord Gill, the inquiry chairman wrote: "This was an avoidable
tragedy... Nearly five years after the explosion HSE has not produced
a coherent action plan to deal with underground metallic pipework and
the risk of a recurrence.

While the probability of another explosion may be low, the
consequences of a similar event, should it occur, may be catastrophic.
A sense of urgency would be an appropriate response to the serious
issue of public confidence that this disaster has raised."

In 2007, ICL Plastics and ICL Tech pleaded guilty to four health and
safety breaches and were fined £200,000 at the Glasgow High Court and
were both fined £200,000.

The firms commented: "The ICL companies wish to express profound
sadness and apologise for their omissions and the shortcomings of
those who were responsible for the health and safety of the
employees".

They continued: "The inquiry's analysis of the essential facts and
crucial expert knowledge provides much needed answers and
recommendations which will have an important bearing on the future."

Jim Murphy, Scottish Secretary said that the government will be
providing a full response to the report in January: "What is clear
from the report published today is that this disaster could and should
have been avoided," he said. "It lays out a litany of failings and it
is imperative that we take on board Lord Gill's recommendations for a
better and more effective safety regime surrounding LPG installations
to ensure an unnecessary and preventable fatal incident such as this
never happens again."