News

Health & Safety Update (January 2010)

Veolia fined £150,000 over major chemical fire

The international waste management company, Veolia ES Cleanaway (UK) Ltd, has been fined £150,000 for health and safety breaches following a major chemical fire in Preston which closed two motorways.

Sections of the M6 and M55 were shut for several hours during the morning on 2 July 2007 while 66 firefighters tackled the blaze at the Red Scar Industrial Estate in Preston. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Veolia ES Cleanaway (UK) Ltd after carrying out a joint 15-month investigation with the Environment Agency and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

Veolia pleaded guilty to two offences at Preston Crown Court on 9 December 2009. As well as the fine, the company was ordered to pay costs of £90,000.

The fire started just after 6am in an open area of the site used to store drums of chemicals. Firefighters reported seeing drums rocketing into the air and off the site after being set alight. Emergency services closed the industrial estate and sections of the M6 and M55 while they tackled the blaze.

The fire was extinguished by mid-afternoon after more than 132,000 litres of chemicals were set alight. HSE inspectors believe it was caused by lithium batteries igniting nearby waste materials.

The investigation showed that Veolia did not do enough to make sure that the dangerous chemicals on its site in Preston were stored safely. The company also failed to provide adequate training for its staff.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service issued three Enforcement Notices following the incident covering breaches of fire prevention regulations. The HSE also issued an Improvement Notice requiring the revision and rewriting of site operating procedures.

Veolia was charged with breaching Regulations 6(3) and 9(1) of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 by failing to take appropriate measures to control the storage of dangerous substances, and by failing to provide suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training for its employees.

Businesses need to be aware of chemicals and substances in workplaces that might be fire hazards. These include petrol and paint thinners as well as less obvious materials like packaging and sawdust. It is also important to carry out a fire risk assessment and act on the findings.

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) deal with protection against risks from fire, explosion and similar events arising from dangerous substances used or present in the workplace.

We can offer DSEAR risk assessments as an additional service. If you are concerned about your dangerous substances and their storage then contact the Advice Service or your dedicated consultant for guidance.