THE head of the civil service this morning appeared in the Magistrate’s Court dock to admit two health and safety charges related to the Haut du Mont explosion on behalf of the employer of public servants.
Government of Jersey chief executive Andrew McLaughlin stood alone behind a glass screen on behalf the States Employment Board.
The two offences under the Island’s Health and Safety at Work Law relate to the response of the Emergency Services Control Centre and the Fire and Rescue Service in the hours before the explosion in the early hours of 10 December 2022.
The charges concern the SEB’s duties to ensure the health and safety of its own employees, and to those not in its employment.
Giving more details of those charges in the Magistrate’s Court, Crown Advocate Paul Lee said that they related to several failings.
These include the failure to appropriately triage calls, inadequate supervision of emergency control room controllers, inadequate training and the absence of policy in relation to dealing with gas-related calls.
After hearing an outline of the facts, Magistrate Bridget Shaw said that the case was too serious for the Magistrate’s Court and she sent it to the Royal Court.
Advocate Debbie Corbel represented the States Employment Board. Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown was also in court.
The SEB was ordered to appear in the Royal Court on Tuesday 4 November for a pre-sentencing hearing.
In a statement this morning, Mr Brown said: “We remain deeply saddened by the tragic events of 10 December 2022 at Haut du Mont and continue to fully support the investigations that have taken place.”
He added: “While I cannot comment further until the legal process is concluded, my thoughts , indeed those of us all, remain with all those who have been affected by this tragic event.”
Deputy Malcolm Ferey, vice-chair of the SEB, said: “The States Employment Board (SEB), as the employer of Jersey’s public servants, has today pleaded guilty to charges following an investigation by the Health and Safety Inspectorate under the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989.
“The charges relate to the actions of the Emergency Services Control Centre (Fire and Rescue) and the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service on 9 December 2022 prior to the tragic events at Haut du Mont on 10 December 2022.
“Both the States of Jersey Fire & Rescue Service and the Emergency Services Control Centre (Fire and Rescue) remain committed to strengthening arrangements in the areas identified by the Health and Safety Inspectorate’s thorough investigation. This includes training and supervision, policies and processes, and equipment use, particularly when dealing with risks related to the smell of gas.
“The safety of our Island community is paramount, and we will continue to reduce risk, strengthen processes, and make improvements based on our learnings from this incident and others.
“While we cannot comment further until the legal process has concluded, my sincere thoughts and prayers remain with the families, friends and all those who have been affected by this unprecedented and tragic event.”
