HSC press release: C022:04 - 19 May 2004

Joint investigation into explosion at ICL Plastics, Glasgow

The Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, and the Chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) Bill Callaghan, have agreed that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Strathclyde Police will conduct a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into an explosion at ICL Plastics in Glasgow on 11 May 2004. The investigation will be full and thorough. Strathclyde Police and HSE will report to the Procurator Fiscal on the outcome of their investigation. HSE will also report to HSC. If lessons for industry emerge from the investigation, HSE will communicate these to the appropriate organisations, in consultation with the Procurator Fiscal.

A joint investigation protocol has already been prepared and a co-ordinated approach to the collection of evidence initiated; effective co-operation between the investigating authorities will build on the excellent relationships established during the rescue and stabilisation phases.

After the investigation and any subsequent criminal proceedings have been concluded, the Lord Advocate will consider the need for a Fatal Accident Inquiry, and consideration will be given to the need for, and nature and remit of, any other form of inquiry.

Notes to Editors

1. On 11 May 2004, nine people were killed and more than 40 were injured in an explosion at ICL Plastics in Glasgow.

2. The Area Procurator Fiscal for Glasgow is Catherine Dyer.

3. The HSE investigation team will be led by Stuart North, Head of Operations, under the overall direction of Stewart Campbell, HSE Director, Scotland.

4. The Strathclyde Police investigation team will be led by Detective Superintendent Jim Porteous.

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES: Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 0845 345 0055, visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact, or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

PRESS ENQUIRIES regarding this press release: Journalists only:

Peter O'Connor - 020 7717 6901
Val Morgan - 0131-244 9062
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service: Howard Hart - 0131-247 2701