Fife Council plead guilty to breaches after gas pipe is ruptured endangering lives
Fife Council has been fined £24,000 for serious safety failings after workers struck and ruptured an underground gas pipe releasing almost four tonnes of gas leading to the evacuation of one hundred homes and businesses and a primary school. An HSE inspector described events as entirely foreseeable and preventable.
The incident occurred at the council’s Milesmark Depot in Carnock Road, Dunfermline, on 11 June 2010, and last week (1 May) it was heard in Dunfermline Sheriff Court that although there were no casualties as a result of the incident, members of the public were put at risk of injury or death.
The court was told that drainage works were being carried out at the depot by the council’s own employees. On the day of the incident the employees, who were not supervised, decided to excavate a new trench unaware a decision had been taken the day before not to dig in that particular area.
During the excavation, using a hand held power tool and mechanical digger, they exposed and disturbed whinstone dust, which is an indicator of the presence of gas or water pipes. In spite of this, they continued the excavation and the digger struck and ruptured a gas valve on a six-inch pressure main.
They immediately evacuated the area and reported the incident. The emergency services and Scottish Gas Networks were called to the scene and all properties in the area were evacuated for five hours while the damage was repaired.
An investigation by HSE revealed various failings by the council including:
-
failure to assess the risks to members of the public near the depot;
-
failure to provide and maintain a safe system of work for the excavation, which included failing to refer to utility plans showing the location of underground services and failing to use devices or hand tools to locate underground services; and
-
failure to provide the necessary information, instruction and supervision to the excavation works to ensure the health and safety of nearby members of the public.
Fife Council, of Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, was fined £24,000 after pleading guilty to breaching Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Following the case, HSE Inspector Mac Young, said: “This incident was both entirely foreseeable and easily preventable. Fife Council’s failures all related to inadequate risk assessment, lack of safe systems of work and a breakdown principally of the supervision of those employees involved.
“The risks attached to excavation works are well known and documented. Guidance states that hand held power tools and mechanical excavators are the main causes of danger and should not be used close to underground services.
“Thankfully, no-one was injured, nor was there any damage to property. That, however, is down more to luck than judgement.”
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]
Approaches to managing the risks associated Musculoskeletal disorders
In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, we hear from Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at HSE’s Science and Research Centre, about the different approaches to managing the risks associated with Musculoskeletal disorders.Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="82165"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title="Listen now!" color="success" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shponline.co.uk%2Fpodcasts%2Fapproaches-to-managing-the-risks-associated-musculoskeletal-disorders%2F|title:Listen%20today!"][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Fife Council plead guilty to breaches after gas pipe is ruptured endangering lives
Fife Council has been fined £24,000 for serious safety failings after workers struck and ruptured an underground gas pipe releasing almost four tonnes of gas leading to the evacuation of one hundred homes and businesses and a primary school. An HSE inspector described events as entirely foreseeable and preventable.
Safety & Health Practitioner
SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources Related Topics
Housing company fined more than £500k after worker suffers burns
Company fined as worker has leg amputated
Aviation company fined after worker death at Heathrow Airport
Guy FYI
JB