Menu
26/08/2005
£15m fine over gas explosion that killed family
Gas supply company Transco was fined a record £15 million for safety breaches that led to a gas explosion that killed a family of four.
Following a 26-week long trial at Edinburgh High Court the jury convicted Transco under health and safety legislation for the explosion that devastated a family home in Carlisle Road, Lanarkshire on December 22, 1999.
The massive explosion demolished the house killing Andrew Findlay, 34, his wife Janette, 37, and the couple's children Stacey, 13, and Daryl, 11.
Imposing the fine, the judge, Lord Carloway, said that he wanted to set an "appropriate penalty", one that would send message to large companies and shareholders regarding what he said was a "serious failure over many years of one of our main privatised utilities".
Lord Carloway also castigated the company for attempting to pin the blame for the explosion on an internal leak in the property.
The fine is a record penalty imposed on any company for breaches of health and safety legislation contained in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The prosecution case hinged on argument that money rather than safety had been the company's approach to replacing gas mains.
An investigation by the Health and Safety officials, in a report handed to the Procurator Fiscal at Hamilton on 15 September 2000, showed that there were holes in the 250mm medium pressure ductile iron pipe that ran through the front garden of the Findlay's house.
Gas leaking form the main found its way into the under-floor void and subsequently the kitchen of the property where it ignited. While the source of ignition could not be determined, a gas hob or any other naked flame in the kitchen could have sparked the fatal explosion.
The prosecution described the work undertaken by Transco to replace the ductile iron pipework as "derisory".
In a statement, John Sumner, Head of the Health and Safety Executive's Chemicals Unit in Scotland, praised the investigation.
"With regard to pipeline safety, it should be noted that HSE served an improvement notice in September 2000 to accelerate Transco's mains replacement programme.
"This resulted in the replacement of all known sections of the sort of main that ruptured at Larkhall in the three years after the accident. In other words, some 2,500 km of ductile iron medium pressure gas mains were replaced by plastic pipeline."
Commenting on the fine Mr Sumner said: "The conviction sends a message not just to Transco but to all operators of hazardous plant of the need to keep accurate records, operate effective management systems and properly maintain pipelines and equipment."
Transco said that it was disapointed by the verdict and would be considering the judgment with a view to taking further legal action.
Transco sold its gas supply network operation on to Scotia Gas Networks this year.
(SP/KMcA)
Following a 26-week long trial at Edinburgh High Court the jury convicted Transco under health and safety legislation for the explosion that devastated a family home in Carlisle Road, Lanarkshire on December 22, 1999.
The massive explosion demolished the house killing Andrew Findlay, 34, his wife Janette, 37, and the couple's children Stacey, 13, and Daryl, 11.
Imposing the fine, the judge, Lord Carloway, said that he wanted to set an "appropriate penalty", one that would send message to large companies and shareholders regarding what he said was a "serious failure over many years of one of our main privatised utilities".
Lord Carloway also castigated the company for attempting to pin the blame for the explosion on an internal leak in the property.
The fine is a record penalty imposed on any company for breaches of health and safety legislation contained in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The prosecution case hinged on argument that money rather than safety had been the company's approach to replacing gas mains.
An investigation by the Health and Safety officials, in a report handed to the Procurator Fiscal at Hamilton on 15 September 2000, showed that there were holes in the 250mm medium pressure ductile iron pipe that ran through the front garden of the Findlay's house.
Gas leaking form the main found its way into the under-floor void and subsequently the kitchen of the property where it ignited. While the source of ignition could not be determined, a gas hob or any other naked flame in the kitchen could have sparked the fatal explosion.
The prosecution described the work undertaken by Transco to replace the ductile iron pipework as "derisory".
In a statement, John Sumner, Head of the Health and Safety Executive's Chemicals Unit in Scotland, praised the investigation.
"With regard to pipeline safety, it should be noted that HSE served an improvement notice in September 2000 to accelerate Transco's mains replacement programme.
"This resulted in the replacement of all known sections of the sort of main that ruptured at Larkhall in the three years after the accident. In other words, some 2,500 km of ductile iron medium pressure gas mains were replaced by plastic pipeline."
Commenting on the fine Mr Sumner said: "The conviction sends a message not just to Transco but to all operators of hazardous plant of the need to keep accurate records, operate effective management systems and properly maintain pipelines and equipment."
Transco said that it was disapointed by the verdict and would be considering the judgment with a view to taking further legal action.
Transco sold its gas supply network operation on to Scotia Gas Networks this year.
(SP/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 October 2010
Illegal Gas Fitter Sentenced
A man who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has been sentenced for illegally installing gas appliances at addresses in York. Bennett Morley of Cherry Paddock, Haxby, York, was prosecuted by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for five offences under Gas Safety legislation after complaints by householders.
Illegal Gas Fitter Sentenced
A man who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has been sentenced for illegally installing gas appliances at addresses in York. Bennett Morley of Cherry Paddock, Haxby, York, was prosecuted by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for five offences under Gas Safety legislation after complaints by householders.
26 August 2014
200 Homes Still Without Gas After Water Leak
Around 200 homes in Wales are still without gas after a burst water pipe flooded gas lines last Thursday. Wales and West Utilities have said that some 150,000 litres of water has been pumped from gas pipes since last Thursday, with 540 of the 755 homes affected by the leak, now reconnected.
200 Homes Still Without Gas After Water Leak
Around 200 homes in Wales are still without gas after a burst water pipe flooded gas lines last Thursday. Wales and West Utilities have said that some 150,000 litres of water has been pumped from gas pipes since last Thursday, with 540 of the 755 homes affected by the leak, now reconnected.
31 July 2008
Centrica Posts £1 Million In Profits - To Consumers Anger
British Gas owner Centrica has posted half-year profits of almost £1 billion - much to the anger of consumer groups. Centrica maintain that it has been "absolutely necessary" to raise household gas prices as profits were down 20% in the first six months of this year to £992 million - down from £1.23 billion in 2007.
Centrica Posts £1 Million In Profits - To Consumers Anger
British Gas owner Centrica has posted half-year profits of almost £1 billion - much to the anger of consumer groups. Centrica maintain that it has been "absolutely necessary" to raise household gas prices as profits were down 20% in the first six months of this year to £992 million - down from £1.23 billion in 2007.
04 February 2010
Energy Supplier Slashes Gas Price
British Gas has today cut its standard gas prices by an average 7%. The price cut, which will benefit 8 million households, takes effect immediately and makes British Gas, on average, the cheapest supplier of standard gas and electricity right across Britain - no matter which way customers choose to pay.
Energy Supplier Slashes Gas Price
British Gas has today cut its standard gas prices by an average 7%. The price cut, which will benefit 8 million households, takes effect immediately and makes British Gas, on average, the cheapest supplier of standard gas and electricity right across Britain - no matter which way customers choose to pay.
13 February 2009
New Offshore Gas Storage Opportunities To Open Up
A proposed new licensing scheme will open up an area of up to 200 miles around the UK for offshore gas storage and importation projects. The scheme will create a regulatory environment that will encourage investment in new gas supply infrastructure, including gas storage.
New Offshore Gas Storage Opportunities To Open Up
A proposed new licensing scheme will open up an area of up to 200 miles around the UK for offshore gas storage and importation projects. The scheme will create a regulatory environment that will encourage investment in new gas supply infrastructure, including gas storage.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
