Borders chemical firm fined £40,000 for avoidable explosion
The factory was destroyed by the explosion in 2020
- Published
A chemical company has been fined £40,000 after admitting health and safety breaches that caused an explosion which destroyed its Borders factory.
The blast at Rathburn Chemicals in Walkerburn on 10 January 2020 was likely to have been caused by chemicals overheating, which saw a massive fireball engulf the factory, bricks thrown into the air and damage caused to neighbouring buildings.
The Peeblesshire firm pled guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to lapses during the process of distilling pentane, which allowed highly flammable vapour to escape into the atmosphere.
This was then ignited when an employee switched on a ventilation system.
Local residents had to leave their homes for several hours in the aftermath of the incident
The court was told it was extremely fortunate no-one was injured or died in the early morning incident, which took place at about 06: 45.
The pentane overheated in a vessel and bubbled over after being left unattended, resulting in excessive production of the vapour which the vessel was unable to contain.
It then ignited when a switch was triggered, with the explosion waking up people in neighbouring properties who witnessed flames shooting up into the air.
Twenty six people had to leave their homes and be accommodated in a rest centre due to the incident, with a local primary school closed for the day as a precaution.
The blaze took fire services several hours to extinguish.
Rathburn Chemicals admitted several breaches in the process of distilling pentane, including in relation to carrying out risk assessments.
It also admitted failing to maintain a safe system of work for the process and failing to provide instruction for employees to distil pentane in order to ensure its safe operation.
Regulators said the explosion could have been avoided
Sheriff Peter Paterson fined the firm £40,000 with a £3,000 victim surcharge added.
Regulator the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the explosion could have been avoided.
HSE inspector Isabelle Martin said: “This was a serious incident and it is fortunate that no-one was injured by the blast.
"The explosion could have been avoided had Rathburn Chemicals simply carried out the correct control measures and safe working practices.
“This case also highlights the risks from distilling flammable substances, the need for reliable control measures and adequate training of employees."