An international engineering firm has been ordered to pay £187,252 in fines and costs for putting the lives of workers and residents at risk after exposing them to lethal legionella bacteria.
Somercoates firm Chromalloy UK Limited, which refurbishes turbine blades for the aviation industry, pleaded guilty to two charges for failing to properly manage the risk of bacteria growing in their cooling towers for over a year, from May 2011.
At Derby Crown Court Chomalloy admitted to failing to ensure the health and safety of workers and residents by exposing them to risks from air-borne legionella bacteria.
Derby Crown Court heard that during a visit to Chromalloy's site in Somercotes in May 2012, a Health and Safety (HSE) inspector felt spray on his face, saw the yard's surface was wet and that nearby cooling towers were corroded.
The inspector found significant failings in regards to the companies control, recording and management of legionella risks. As well as failing to maintain its infrastructure, Chromalloy did not keep biocides (chemicals which kill bacteria) at effective levels.
Prosecuting barrister Austin Stoton explained the main risks were posed by corroded and poorly maintained water-based cooling tower systems and a failure to carry out repairs. He went on to state that Chromalloy's control measures were ineffective and the company delayed taking any action in anticipation of a planned move.
Mr Stoton also added:
"The aggravating features of this case were the risk of serious harm and death to employees and non-employees as the company put profit before safety by taking a deliberate decision to postpone spending on its infrastructure."The judge fined Chromalloy UK Ltd a total of £110,000 and ordered the firm to pay £77,252 in legal costs.
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