An international firm has been fined more than £700,000 after two of its employees died after an argon gas leak.
Stuart Jordan, 50 and Richard Clarkson, 29, who worked for Bodycote HIP Ltd at a Hereford metal refining plant died 5 years ago after argon gas leaked from a large vessel in a pit.
After admitting to breaching the Health and Safety at work Act 1974, Bodycote HIP Ltd of Macclesfield, Cheshire, were fined £533,000 plus costs of £200,000.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who brought the case against the firm, informed Worcester Crown Court that the two men were found collapsed on the stairs that lead to the pit at the College Road site on 14th June 2004. The HSE continued to tell the court that on the day of the incident, the pit's oxygen alarm system was switched off, and the ventilation system, which could have saved the men's lives, was not running.
The HSE also said that there was no evidence that Mr Jordan had received any appropriate safety training.
In it s defence, Bodycote HIP Ltd said that complacency had developed, however there was not a general disregard for health and safety at the company and that since the incident, the health and safety deficiencies have been remedied.
Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Luke Messenger said: "Both these tragic deaths were not only regrettable but also entirely preventable".
He added: "Confined spaces can be found in a wide range of workplaces and these deaths should serve as a reminder to all industries of the dangers of this type of work."
Stuart Jordan, 50 and Richard Clarkson, 29, who worked for Bodycote HIP Ltd at a Hereford metal refining plant died 5 years ago after argon gas leaked from a large vessel in a pit.
After admitting to breaching the Health and Safety at work Act 1974, Bodycote HIP Ltd of Macclesfield, Cheshire, were fined £533,000 plus costs of £200,000.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who brought the case against the firm, informed Worcester Crown Court that the two men were found collapsed on the stairs that lead to the pit at the College Road site on 14th June 2004. The HSE continued to tell the court that on the day of the incident, the pit's oxygen alarm system was switched off, and the ventilation system, which could have saved the men's lives, was not running.
The HSE also said that there was no evidence that Mr Jordan had received any appropriate safety training.
In it s defence, Bodycote HIP Ltd said that complacency had developed, however there was not a general disregard for health and safety at the company and that since the incident, the health and safety deficiencies have been remedied.
Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Luke Messenger said: "Both these tragic deaths were not only regrettable but also entirely preventable".
He added: "Confined spaces can be found in a wide range of workplaces and these deaths should serve as a reminder to all industries of the dangers of this type of work."
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