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Fatal factory blast report due Fatal factory blast 'avoidable'
(about 13 hours later)
An independent report into the Stockline factory explosion in Glasgow, which killed nine people and injured 33, is due to be published later. The explosion at the Stockline plastics factory in Glasgow was an "avoidable disaster", according to a public inquiry into the tragedy.
The premises, operated by ICL Plastics Ltd, collapsed on 11 May, 2004, after liquefied petroleum gas escaped from corroded pipe work. Nine people died and 33 were injured when the premises, operated by ICL Plastics, collapsed on 11 May, 2004.
ICL Plastics and another firm, ICL Tech, were fined a total of £400,000 for breaching health and safety laws. A report compiled by senior judge Lord Gill said there could be no doubt as to the cause of the blast.
Senior judge Lord Gill chaired a public inquiry into the explosion last year. He said a pipe carrying liquid petroleum gas into the factory was "out of sight and out of mind".
He handed his report to Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Work and Pensions Minister Yvette Cooper earlier this month. Lord Gill also criticised the two companies, ICL Plastics and ICL Tech, for lacking knowledge and understanding of the gas.
Safety recommendations His report identified serious weaknesses in the health and safety legislation and a lack of effective communication between government agencies, suppliers and users of the gas.
The ICL companies wish to express profound sadness and apologise for their omissions and the shortcomings of those who were responsible for the health and safety of the employees ICL statement
It was also critical of the Health and Safety Executive for failing to appreciate the significance of buried pipework and failing to pursue follow-up visits.
In his report summary, Lord Gill said: "Nearly five years after the explosion HSE has not produced a coherent action plan to deal with underground metallic pipework and the risk of a recurrence.
"While the probability of another explosion may be low, the consequences of a similar event, should it occur, may be catastrophic."
He went on to make a series of recommendations which "seek to establish a modern liquid petroleum gas safety regime to minimise the risk that such an event will recur."
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy has met the families of some of those killed in the explosion to discuss the report.
READ THE FULL REPORT The ICL Inquiry report [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
He said: "What is clear from the report is that this disaster could and should have been avoided.
"It lays out a litany of failings and it is imperative that we take on board Lord Gill's recommendations for a better and more effective safety regime surrounding LPG installations to ensure an unnecessary and preventable fatal incident such as this never happens again."
He added: "The UK Government fully accepts those recommendations, and will provide a full response to the report in January.
"Our main aim must be to see the introduction of a safety regime around LPG systems which is transparent, workable and enforceable."
A statement issued on behalf of ICL Plastics Ltd and ICL Tech Ltd said: "The inquiry's analysis of the essential facts and crucial expert knowledge provides much needed answers and recommendations which will have an important bearing on the future.
Rescuers brought seven people out alive but nine others died
"Lord Gill makes observations on all those who played a part in the mistakes that led to the explosion. "The ICL companies wish to express profound sadness and apologise for their omissions and the shortcomings of those who were responsible for the health and safety of the employees.
He added: "It is the families and injured who remain in our thoughts, and our sincere hope is that the inquiry and its recommendations help to fulfil their wishes."
Speaking ahead of the publication, Ian Tasker, STUC assistant secretary and a representative for some of the bereaved families, said: "This marks the culmination of five long years in the families' quest for answers as to what caused the tragedy and how it was allowed to happen."
Safety breaches
The explosion at the plastics factory at Woodside in Glasgow reduced the four-storey Victorian building to a mound of rubble.The explosion at the plastics factory at Woodside in Glasgow reduced the four-storey Victorian building to a mound of rubble.
Rescuers tunnelling into the wreckage brought seven people out alive but nine others died.Rescuers tunnelling into the wreckage brought seven people out alive but nine others died.
It was Scotland's worst industrial accident for a decade.It was Scotland's worst industrial accident for a decade.
During the public inquiry, which was held at the Maryhill Community Hall, close to the site of the factory, Lord Gill heard from survivors of the explosion and bereaved relatives, as well as gas and engineering experts. In 2007, ICL Plastics and ICL Tech were fined a total of £400,000 for breaching health and safety laws.
His report is expected to make a series of safety recommendations aimed at preventing another tragedy like the ICL Plastics blast from occurring. The public inquiry was held at the Maryhill Community Hall, close to the site of the factory.
It is likely to recommend improvements in the way liquefied petroleum gas is used on industrial sites. Lord Gill heard from survivors of the explosion, bereaved relatives and company bosses, as well as gas and engineering experts.
The inquiry, which was held over two sessions in July and October last year, was told that the damaged pipework would have cost about £400 to replace.