Fine of €300,000 handed down following explosion at Corden Pharma plant
Tuesday 1st May
Judge Patrick Moran at Cork Circuit Criminal Court today (Tuesday 1st May) handed down a fine of €300,000 following a chemical explosion on the Corden Pharma Ltd site, Little Island, Co. Cork on April 28th 2008 when one employee was killed and a second seriously injured.
In addition costs of €27,193 and €45,000 were awarded to the Health and Safety Authority and DPP respectively.
The company, which is no longer in operation at the Little Island site, pleaded guilty to four separate charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
According to Sharon McGuinness, Assistant Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, “This was a very serious incident leading to the tragic death of one worker and serious injury to another. Whether manufacturing chemicals or using chemicals in the production of other products, it is critical that a comprehensive risk assessment is undertaken and appropriate safety precautions put in place.”
