IOSH urges ICL inquiry to focus on competency

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has urged the team leading the inquiry into the 2004 ICL explosion to take advantage of its expertise to help uncover the underlying causes of the disaster. It has submitted a ‘statement of case’ to the inquiry, focusing on the availability and use of competent health and safety advice by ICL and others.

IOSH president Ray Hurst said it was important the inquiry was “far-reaching” so that “lessons can be learned for the future” from the tragic events of 11 May 2004, in which nine people died, and 33 were injured at the Glasgow factory.

“We’ve put forward a very detailed statement to the inquiry, calling for scrutiny in a number of important areas. We think it’s vital to find out how and why the overall system failed to keep people safe — not to blame individuals within it, so that improvements can be made for the benefit of all.

“The public will rightly want to know whether ICL was getting competent health and safety advice, and also to know about the roles of others that help form the overall system of safeguards. For example, what level of health and safety knowledge, skills and experience did those working in ICL and its suppliers, or those advising them, have?

“These are some questions we feel the inquiry must address, so that workplace health and safety is improved and lives saved. The findings of this inquiry may be highly significant to health and safety practice in Scotland and throughout the UK.”

Preliminary hearings have already taken place, with further witnesses to be called up in early July. The next major part of the inquiry will begin on 21 October, when it will attempt to ascertain what lessons are to be learned and what recommendations can be made to avoid any repetition of the disaster.

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