Massive fine imposed after two lives lost in confined space incident


				Massive fine imposed after two lives lost in confined space incident HSE has issued a new warning about the dangers of working in confined spaces to all industries following the prosecution of Bodycote HIP Limited who pleaded guilty and were fined £533,000 and £200,000 costs following the death of two of its employees. The company’s Works Manager and Maintenance Engineer were working on their Herefordshire site carrying out routine tasks when they were suffocated in a concrete lined pit into which argon had leaked from a large pressure vessel. The HSE investigating inspector Luke Messenger said: “Both these tragic deaths were not only regrettable but also entirely preventable. The risks from confined spaces and asphyxiation due to the presence of argon were well known to the company, which had experience of a similar double fatality at a Bodycote Group site in California, just three years earlier. Despite this warning the company failed to undertake a proper risk assessment for entry into the confined space. Although they had implemented a safe system of work and permit to work procedure, they had not properly trained employees in their use, or ensured that these systems and procedures were being followed through their auditing procedure. On the day of the incident, the ventilation system, which could have removed the leaking argon before it became a problem, and the oxygen alarm system, which would have warned of the oxygen-depleted atmosphere, were not switched on. Had these systems been working these two deaths may not have occurred. 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. Entry to confined spaces should be avoided if possible, but where entry has to be made the work should be done by properly trained and authorised persons in accordance with a safe system of work. Simple checks then need to be made to ensure that employees are, in fact, following the system.” HSE guidance on working in confined spaces is available on their website http://www.hse.gov.uk/confinedspace/ If you would like assistance with risk assesments or work systems and methods, please do not hesitate to contact Advantage Health and Safety by email tg@advantagehs.co.uk