The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have announced they will be bringing a prosecution against Corus UK Ltd, following HSE investigations into the explosion of a blast furnace at the Corus Port Talbot plant in November 2001.
The explosion, in the Welsh plant, took three lives, namely, Len Radford, Stephen Galsworthy and Andrew Hutin.
The first hearing is due to take place on 12 April, 2006, at Neath Magistrates Court.
The criminal charges being brought by the HSE are as follows:
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Under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, alleging that Corus UK Ltd did not ensure, "so far as was reasonably practicable", the safety of its employees, including Mr Galsworthy, Mr Hutin and Mr Radford, in connection with the operation of Blast Furnace Number 5.
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Under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, alleging that Corus UK Ltd did not conduct its undertaking, namely the operation of Blast Furnace Number 5, in such a way as to ensure, "so far as was reasonably practicable", that persons not in its employment, namely contractors, were not exposed to risks to their safety.
The Corus-owned company has had a less than satisfactory safety track record, which we at HSfB reported in April 2005. This news report can be accessed by clicking the following:
18 April 2005 - Corus-Owned Company Under Investigation by Police and HSE
A statement was issued by the HSE in 2005 following the Coroners' inquest and can be accessed from the HSE Webpage by clicking the following:
Corus Inquest: HSE statement following verdict
Article by Alexandra Johnston
