Relatives of workers killed in a factory explosion have said that the £400,000 fine handed to the owners was an "insult" to the victims. Families said they were devastated at the penalty imposed on the operators of the Stockline plastics factory in Glasgow after the blast which killed nine people and injured 33.
The fine was handed down on ICL Plastics and ICL Tech at the city's High Court after a two-day hearing. A £1m investigation found that the blast was caused by a corroded pipe that would have cost £405 to replace. Union leaders have demanded a full public inquiry into the case and tougher legislation.
The judge, Lord Brodie, said that, in setting the fine, he was taking account the ability of the firms to stay in business and provide work.
But one of the relatives, Angela Rowlinson, 38, who lost her sister Tracey McErlane, 27, from Glasgow, in the tragedy, said: "We are devastated, absolutely devastated. I just feel as if they've got off lightly. I don't think it is a deterrent to any other company."
Kirsteen Murray, 31, who lost her brother Kenneth Murray, 45, from Paisley, said: "I was pretty deflated to hear the fine, though it was expected. But if the judge had fined them millions, it would have made no difference to my family."
The two firms were fined after admitting four Health and Safety at Work Act charges over the blast in Glasgow on 11 May 2004.
An inquiry is to be held into the disaster and Scotland's most senior law officer, the Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini, will decide what form that should take before the end of September, it emerged last night.
She will decide whether it should be a fatal accident inquiry or another form of inquiry. "The views of family members will be considered before any decision is taken on the form of the inquiry," the Crown Office said.
Imposing the fines today, the judge said the sums were not meant to equate to the lives lost or injuries and suffering caused. "These are not things that are capable of being expressed in terms of sums of money," said the judge.
By Lucinda Cameron and Joe Quinn
Published: 29 August 2007
Referenced from The Independant
Url:The Independant