Firm admits to tragic errors
An Oswestry-based food storage company has admitted breaching health and safety regulations following the death of an employee in a workplace accident. An Oswestry-based food storage company has admitted breaching health and safety regulations following the death of an employee in a workplace accident. Cold Move, based on the Maesbury Road Industrial Estate, admitted to lapses in safety over the death of employee Alan Golden, who inhaled toxic ammonia fumes at the firm's premises at Golborne, near Warrington, in September 2005. The company admitted failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of its employees, contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Mr Simon Ward, prosecuting, told Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court last Thursday that Mr Golden, of Holbache Road, Oswestry, travelled from Oswestry to cover at the Golborne site when a local engineer was not available. Cold Move admitted that equipment - including emergency equipment - had been defective. Mr Richard Ollier, for Cold Move, said it offered its deepest regrets over the incident. The company will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on September 1. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
An Oswestry-based food storage company has admitted breaching health and safety regulations following the death of an employee in a workplace accident.
Cold Move, based on the Maesbury Road Industrial Estate, admitted to lapses in safety over the death of employee Alan Golden, who inhaled toxic ammonia fumes at the firm's premises at Golborne, near Warrington.
A prosecution was brought by Wigan Council's environmental health officers after an accident at the unit in September 2005 when 2.5 tonnes of the chemical were released into the air.
The company admitted failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of its employees, contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Mr Simon Ward, prosecuting, told Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court last Thursday that Mr Golden, of Holbache Road, Oswestry, travelled from the firm's headquarters in Oswestry to cover at the Golborne site when a local engineer was not available.
The 54-year-old engineer died while draining oil from the liquid ammonia system, and Cold Move admitted that equipment - including emergency equipment - had been defective.
Correct safety procedures were not observed and pipework was also found to be inadequately labelled.
Mr Ward said: "Working on the ammonia system requires specialist knowledge but Alan had had no specialist training, although he had requested it.
"Ammonia is flammable and toxic at high concentrations. It can be corrosive to skin and burn the eyes.
"It is a highly dangerous chemical and by using it, the defendant had a duty to provide the highest standards of care. This was a major incident which left fire officers needing medical attention."
Cold Move was represented in court by director Nigel Bradbury.
Mr Richard Ollier, for the company, said it offered its deepest regrets over the incident. He said Cold Move had not just lost an employee but a valued colleague.
The company will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on September 1 after magistrates opted to send the case to the higher court.
By Iain St John
