Importance of risk assessments highlighted after carbon dioxide leak
Construction
16th December 2008
The importance of securing employers' liability insurance and carrying out suitable risk assessments while carrying out construction work has been highlighted after toxic carbon dioxide was released into a basement sub station.
Denso Manufacturing Midlands of Sutton Coldfield was ordered to pay a fine of £28,000, in addition to costs of £5,278, after pleading guilty to breaches of section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The company had been decommissioning a fire suppression system in the building when the gas was released.
A contract electrician was taken to hospital after entering the room and inhaling the concentrated carbon dioxide.
Ed Fryer, a Health and Safety Executive inspector, said the lack of any risk assessment contributed to a very dangerous situation.
"Management arrangements for the health and safety of employees and non-employees were grossly inadequate," he commented.
