Petroleum Distributors (Jersey) Limited appeared in the Royal Court yesterday on two counts of failing to comply with health and safety laws.
Attorney General Robert MacRae, prosecuting, told the court how on 24 May 2017, an employee from the business removed a petrol pump from a property on Stopford Road for decommissioning and moved it to their La Collette depot.
During the course of the following day, he moved the pump into the company’s lubrication and oil store, as it was too hot to work outside, and closed the roller shutter door behind him.
He then placed the pump into a drip tray and used a reciprocating electric saw to cut various parts of the pump before seeing a flash.
The pump then caught fire and he attempted to smother it using a powder extinguisher but instead drove the flames towards oil and lubricant containers before he was forced to flee to safety.
More than 25 firefighters, three fire engines, a foam tanker, two support vehicles and a command vehicle attended the incident and the fire took two hours to get under control.
Advocate MacRae added that the director of Petroleum Distributors, at the time, could offer no explanation as to why his employee of 17 years had chosen the method used to decommission the pump and admitted that there had never been any risk assessment drawn up for decommissioning petrol pumps at the depot.
He also referred to UK guidance which noted several considerations should have been taken into account such as ventilation, separation of combustible materials from the work area and the use of cold-cutting techniques rather than hot-cutting methods such as saws.
Advocate MacRae also showed the court various photos of the site to illustrate its proximity to the nearby fuel farm where 200 tonnes of flammable liquid was being stored and the damage caused to nearby buildings. He recommended a fine of £100,000 and costs of £5,000 to be paid.
Advocate Adam Harrison, defending, said that his client admitted responsibility, had been co-operative throughout the investigation, entered an early guilty plea and had improved and reviewed safety procedures following the incident.
He also said that employees now receive training, appropriate firefighting equipment was kept on site and that the company had been taken over by Roberts Garages – who had a dedicated health and safety director.
In sentencing, the Bailiff, Sir William Bailhache, presiding, said that employers were obligated to ensure that health and safety laws were strictly enforced.
He said: ‘We are pleased to hear that those now employed appear to be up to standard but it is incomprehensible to hear about the way its employees acted the way that they did.’
Petroleum Distributors (Jersey) Limited were fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £5,000 costs.
Jurats Jane Ronge and Pamela Pitman were also sitting.
