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E016:0616 February 2006
HSE to prosecute Corus
UK LTD following incident in November 2001
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) yesterday served
two summonses on Corus UK Ltd for breaches of health and safety law, following
the conclusion of its investigation into the explosion at Blast Furnace 5
at their Port Talbot site in November 2001. The explosion killed three men,
Len Radford, Andrew Hutin, and Stephen Galsworthy.
The first criminal charge has been brought under Section 2(1) of the Health
and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and alleges 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.
The second criminal charge has been brought under Section 3(1) of the Act
and alleges 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 first hearing of the case is scheduled for 12 April 2006 at Neath Magistrates'
Court.
The media are asked to note that, as proceedings are now active, the Health
and Safety Executive cannot comment any further on this case, and no official
from HSE will be available for interview.
Notes to Editors
Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: “It shall
be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable,
the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”
Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act said: “It shall be the
duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure,
so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who
may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health
or safety.”
HSE made a statement updating progress with its investigation following the
conclusion of the Coroner’s inquest into the incident last year. This can
be found on the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/press/2005/e05104.htm. It
also made a statement before the anniversary of the incident last year which
can be found at the GNN website at: www.gnn.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=176556&NewsAreaID=262&NavigatedFromSearch=True
Press enquiries
Paul Clements
020 7717 6915
Out of hours
020 7928 8382
Public enquiries
HSE's InfoLine
0845 3450055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG
