29/09/2010 - Firms fined over toxic gas death
Crisp maker Walkers and Leicestershire chemical supplier Omnichem have been handed fines totalling £350,000 over the death of a worker from toxic gas inhalation.
John Marriott, a lorry driver for Omnichem, was unloading chemicals at the Walkers' site in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, in July 2006 when he was exposed to a cloud of green chlorine dioxide gas.
The gas was produced when Mr Marriott accidentally mixed up the pipes used to transfer the two chemicals he was transporting - sodium chlorite and hydrochloric acid.
The 59-year-old and a staff member of Walkers who tried to help him were both taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary after they inhaled the fumes.
The Walkers employee was treated for breathing difficulties and released 30 hours later. However, the condition of Mr Marriott got progressively worse and he died a month later.
At Leicester Crown Court, Walkers Snack Foods admitted to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act. The firm was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £38,971.
Omnichem also pleaded guilty to the same charges and was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay £29,229 costs.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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