By Graham Huband

A BRECHIN meat plant was fined £12,000 yesterday after a “serious” health and safety breach saw two workers exposed to a potentially deadly gas.

Sheriff Kevin Veal said risk assessments carried out by Sacone Environmental Limited—which this month admitted charges brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act—had failed to take on board the “perilous nature of its operations” in Montrose Road.

Forfar Sheriff Court heard that on July 18, 2007, fork lift truck operator Charles Anderson (53) and Richard Bruce Dow (53), were exposed to hydrogen sulphide while unloading 30 freshly slaughtered cattle from a lorry into the factory’s incineration pit.

The court was shown CCTV images of the operation as depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy gave an account of events.

She said Mr Dow had lowered the outer door to the pit before moving to the inner shutter control panel. At 9.21am, the inner shutter was activated and the waste pit was exposed.

Mr Anderson raised the lorry’s trailer and emptied its contents into the waste pit which had the “disastrous effect” of dispersing the hydrogen sulphide confined within.

Mr Dow attempted to close the inner shutter door but quickly became disorientated and breathless and collapsed unconscious.

Mr Anderson got out of the cab of the lorry and made his way to the inner pit door to close it. He realised Mr Dow had collapsed and went over to him.

He then attempted to go round the cab before also being overcome and collapsing unconscious.

The court heard the two men were not found for a further 11 minutes, when another employee happened to pass the entrance to the waste intake area.

Ms Kennedy said Mr Anderson was taken to Ninewells Hospital where he remained unconscious for two days. His family were told he might not survive but he did recover enough to leave hospital a week later.

Mr Dow regained consciousness in the ambulance and was discharged the following day.

At a previous hearing, Sacone admitted failing to adequately assess the risk of exposure to highly toxic fumes, namely hydrogen sulphide gas, likely to be present in the waste entrance area of the factory at concentrations capable of causing fatal and serious poisoning injuries.

The firm also admitted failing to control those risks by the provision of atmospheric testing, monitoring and alarm devices, adequate ventilation, suitable respiratory protective equipment, arrangements for emergencies and rescue, and while working in the premises Charles Anderson and other employees of the associated trading company A.P. Jess (Brechin) Ltd, and Richard Dow, of Meat and Livestock Commercial Services Ltd, were exposed to significant concentrations of the toxic fumes to their severe injury.

Defence advocate Jonathon Crowe said the incident occurred after Sacone had taken steps to address another issue flagged up by SEPA.

He said, “In complying with one set of rules to satisfy SEPA’s requirements it breached another set of rules—the Health and Safety at Work Act.”

Mr Crowe said Sacone had now taken significant measures to ensure the incident was never repeated and he offered the firm’s “sympathy” to the men.

“The position at the plant has significantly changed,” he said. “Since the incident the company has purchased a multi-gas monitor and two personal hydrogen sulphide monitors and persons engaged in the unloading of material into the intake working area are equipped with respiratory equipment and toxic gas monitors.

“When unloading is taking place this is reviewed remotely by CCTV. The interlocking roller shutter doors have now been fitted with an emergency override function and the position of the inside door control has been changed to the right hand side to allow an easier escape.

“The company revised its risk assessment and procedures and employees have received additional training in this regard.

“I understand also that the company has fitted a continuously monitoring (system) with various sampling points to detect the presence of gas in various areas of the unloading bay and cooking hall and additional training in relation to confined spaces has been given to staff members.”

Imposing a £12,000 fine, Sheriff Veal said risk assessments by the company were not adequate.

He said, “On any view, this incident was serious and, as stated by the procurator fiscal in her summary, the lives of two employees of the company were endangered with one employee, Charles Anderson, remaining unconscious for two days after the incident.

“But for a fellow employee being—by chance—in the area of the waste intake area and pit and summonsing immediate assistance, there could have been altogether more serious or even fatal consequences.”

He continued, “It is quite clear that the company’s risk assessment did not take on board with sufficient urgency the perilous nature of its operations and the potential consequences for the operatives who are required to work in this environment.

“It is clear that the company has regarded this incident as a “wake-up” call and considerable steps have been taken to radically change the working practices as far as this part of their operations is concerned.”

John Radcliffe, the Health and Safety Executive’s investigating inspector, said the incident was “entirely foreseeable and preventable.”

He said, “It was foreseeable that hydrogen sulphide could accumulate in this plant and there are reasonably practicable controls available to reduce the risks for exposure to the gas in that area.

“Such areas should be well ventilated and gas monitoring equipment designed to provide an alert in the event of a gas build-up should have been provided.

“There was no quick means of escape from this area of the plant, nor was protective respiratory equipment provided.

“Hydrogen sulphide is an acutely toxic gas to humans. There have been numerous fatal workplace poisonings.”