Shell's "neglect of basic maintenance" costs them
£1.2million
Health & Safety update - 04/07/2011
Shell UK has been fined £1,000,000 plus £240,000 costs after an
explosion at a gas terminal in Norfolk in 2008. The company
admitted seven safety and pollution offences following the
explosion and fire at the Bacton terminal.
Ipswich Crown Court heard the company ignored warnings from
employees before the explosion. The prosecution was brought by the
Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive. Shell
admitted breaching two Health and Safety Regulations and five areas
of environmental legislation.
Prosecutor, Andrew Marshall, "The blast in February 2008 could
have killed 10 people. The only reason there were no fatalities was
because staff were changing shifts at the time. Management were
sleepwalking into danger, no matter what was brought to their
attention. What is not in doubt is that what took place could have
been fatal for those in the vicinity of this lethal blast. The
Crown estimates that 10 people could have been killed and that is
not taking into account the injuries and further issues that can
follow from such a situation."
Shell UK had previously admitted not taking sufficient steps to
protect staff and the public.