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Factory blast firm fined £400,000 Court fines factory blast firms
(40 minutes later)
The operators of the Stockline plastics factory in Maryhill which exploded killing nine people have been fined £400,000 for safety breaches. The operators of a factory in Maryhill which exploded killing nine people have been fined £400,000 for health and safety breaches.
The penalty was imposed on ICL Plastics and ICL Tech following a two-day hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.The penalty was imposed on ICL Plastics and ICL Tech following a two-day hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.
The companies had previously pleaded guilty to four health and safety breaches over the incident in May 2004.The companies had previously pleaded guilty to four health and safety breaches over the incident in May 2004.
The blast happened after petroleum gas ignited in a pipe which had corroded in the cellar of the factory building.The blast happened after petroleum gas ignited in a pipe which had corroded in the cellar of the factory building.
Passing sentence, Lord Brodie said the fines were not intended as any sort of reparation for the lives lost, or injuries suffered in the explosion. Passing sentence on Tuesday, Lord Brodie said the fines were not intended as any sort of reparation for the lives lost, or injuries suffered in the explosion.
He said he had to balance the fine against the companies' intention to continue trading and also provide employment for the workforce.
Lord Brodie also told families of the victims and injured sitting in the back of the court that the lives of their loved ones "were not capable of being expressed in terms of money".
The court heard on Monday the first detailed official account of the accident.
The heroic input from so many who were injured in the blast, and the loyalty and support of many others, is the reason for the companies' survival to this day ICL statement Gas pipe caused carnage Survivor tells of ordeal
The explosion was caused by a build-up of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) which leaked from pipework installed in 1969 - and may have been ignited when a labourer switched on a light in the basement.
A statement issued by both companies following the verdict said their thoughts remained "with those people most affected by the tragedy - the victims, their families, and all who were injured".
It added: "The information brought to light by the complex technical investigation and subsequent court proceedings will, we hope, have provided meaningful answers to many of the questions surrounding this terrible tragedy.
"Since May 2004, all concerned have made enormous efforts to sustain the companies and to maintain the employment of our workforce.
"The heroic input from so many who were injured in the blast, and the loyalty and support of many others, is the reason for the companies' survival to this day."
It went on to welcome "any form of inquiry that will properly establish all the facts and circumstances relating to the disaster".
A fatal accident inquiry is expected to be held into the deaths.
GLASGOW BLAST VICTIMS Margaret Brownlie, 49, StrathavenAnnette Doyle, 34, GlasgowPeter Ferguson, 52, KilbarchanThomas McAulay, 41, Mount Florida, GlasgowStewart McColl, 60, West KilbrideTracey McErlane, 27, Possilpark, GlasgowKenneth Murray, 45, PaisleyTimothy Smith, 31, JohnstoneAnn Trench, 34, Colston, Glasgow
Stewart Campbell, director of the Health and Safety Executive in Scotland, said it was important that lessons were learned from the case.
"I would like to remind all users and suppliers of LPG of the risk from buried pipes carrying LPG, particularly when located near areas where gas can accumulate", he said.
"Everyone should ensure that problems which are out of sight are not out of mind.
"The dangers posed by buried pipes can be overcome by a systematic approach to risk management and the findings of the investigation reinforce the need for effective arrangements for the maintenance, renewal or repositioning of buried pipes."
He added: "I would like to pay tribute to all my staff and those of HSL who have dedicated much of the last three years to the investigation and who responded magnificently to what has been an extremely testing investigation."
  • The record fine imposed on a firm for breaching health and safety legislation was £15m on utility firm Transco.
    • The company was convicted on a charge arising from an explosion which killed four people.
    Andrew and Janette Findlay and their children Stacey, 13, and Daryl, 11, died in an explosion in Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, in December 1999.
    The blast, caused by a leaking gas main, destroyed their home.