It was 10 May 2004 and having just returned from giving evidence to the Department of Work and Pensions’ inquiry into HSE, I remember hearing a thunder-like noise.
An explosion had ripped through what was widely to become known as the Stockline Plastics Factory, half a mile from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) offices, killing nine people, injuring 33 and having a tragic impact on families.
Although this was a non-unionised workplace, the STUC General Council took the decision to work with our legal advisors and local politicians to support bereaved families and survivors and provide assistance throughout the investigation and any inquiry felt appropriate.
It became clear that this workplace was known to HSE, having been visited on a number of occasions. It was also evident that the scale of this tragedy, the length of time the gas pipe had gone uninspected and a number of other serious issues called for far wider examination than could be provided through a fatal accident inquiry.
The families were successful in their campaign for a public inquiry and Lord Gill made some recommendations. But to what extent have these achieved their objectives? Also, did the inquiry fully consider all the issues and did the families get the answers they deserved?
On 16 September, I’ll be reporting on the Stockline explosion – the price paid and the lessons learned – in a special session at the 20th Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) occupational safety and health conference in Scotland.
Ian Tasker is an assistant secretary with the STUC
For more information, visit: www.rospa.com/events/scotlandcongress
