BNFL finds itself in dock
7 Apr 2000
BNFL and BNFL Engineering are to appear at Whitehaven Magistrates' Court next month to answer a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive following a release of nitric acid at Sellafield's solvent treatment plant on 11 March last year.
During the commissioning of the treatment plant, some seven cubic metres of concentrated acid were released during work on a valve. The release resulted in the building being evacuated. Two workers suffered slight acid burns, a fireman inhaled fumes and some damage occurred to the building and plant.
HSE alleges that BNFL breached Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 by failing to ensure the safety of its employees during commissioning and maintenance work in the low-active effluent management group plant, including the solvent treatment plant.
BNFL Engineering is charged under Section 3(1) of the Act in relation to ensuring the health and safety of `persons not in its employment who may have been affected' during commissioing and maintenance work in the solvent treatment plant.
If the cases are referred to the Crown Court by the magistrates, the companies could face a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine.
