its employees died after an argon gas leak.
Stuart Jordan, 50 and Richard Clarkson, 29, who worked for Bodycote
HIP Ltd at a Hereford metal refining plant died 5 years ago after
argon gas leaked from a large vessel in a pit.
After admitting to breaching the Health and Safety at work Act 1974,
Bodycote HIP Ltd of Macclesfield, Cheshire, were fined £533,000 plus
costs of £200,000.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who brought the case against
the firm, informed Worcester Crown Court that the two men were found
collapsed on the stairs that lead to the pit at the College Road site
on 14th June 2004. The HSE continued to tell the court that on the day
of the incident, the pit's oxygen alarm system was switched off, and
the ventilation system, which could have saved the men's lives, was
not running.
The HSE also said that there was no evidence that Mr Jordan had
received any appropriate safety training.
In it s defence, Bodycote HIP Ltd said that complacency had developed,
however there was not a general disregard for health and safety at the
company and that since the incident, the health and safety
deficiencies have been remedied.
Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Luke Messenger said: "Both
these tragic deaths were not only regrettable but also entirely
preventable".
He added: "Confined spaces can be found in a wide range of workplaces
and these deaths should serve as a reminder to all industries of the
dangers of this type of work."
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