Smithkline Beecham fined for safety breach
A company that won a 2003 Ministerial merit award for health and safety was convicted and fined today on four charges related to a release of toxic and carcinogenic material into the workplace at their plant in Currabinny, Co Cork.
Judge Patrick J. Moran convicted and fined Smithkline Beecham €15,000 yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court after they pleaded guilty to four breaches of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, arising out an accident at their plant on May 30, 2003.
In mitigation, Patrick McCarthy, senior counsel, described it as “an isolated fall from the appropriate standards, and a crime accordingly".
He also referred to the merit award. That award was made by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment under the auspices of Junior Minister Frank Fahy.
The incident at the centre of the case was described by Inspector Michael Boylan of the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health who said that 2.4 kilos of dimethyl sulphate, which is toxic and a class two carcinogen, was released into the atmosphere in the workplace.
There is a workforce of 450 employees and at the time three people were in the immediate vicinity of the release.
Judge Moran asked if the effect could be fatal. Insp Boylan said it was toxic and it could be fatal if there was a greater release over a longer time.
Chief Executive of Smithkline Beecham (Cork) Ltd, Finbarr White, said, “We very much regret that this incident took place at all. As a major pharmaceutical company worldwide we aim to work to the highest standards from the point of view of health and the environment.
“We did do a risk assessment but we missed a technical issue regarding corrosion at high temperatures. I readily admit we were at fault for this. I would like to give my assurance that we will operate to the highest standards in the future.”
Judge Moran noted that the accident happened during a one-off process where material was being incinerated on site.
“I have been told they operate to a very high standard and I accept that. This was in effect an isolated incident. The company is a substantial employer in Co Cork. They take their responsibilities seriously,” Judge Moran said.
