Sterecycle’s former maintenance manager, Kevin Goss, operations manager Steven Weaver and operations director Paul Greenwell have been charged under section seven of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The Act states that it is the duty of employees to take reasonable care for the health and safety of those affected by ‘his acts or omissions at work’.
Charges
Corporate manslaughter charges have also been brought against the company by the Crown Prosecution Service, following an investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive and South Yorkshire Police. The Honourable Mr Justice Jay will preside over the case, which is expected to last up to five weeks.
The charges relate to the death of 42-year-old worker Michael Whinfrey, who died as a result of injuries suffered after an explosion at the firm’s 100,000 tonnes-per-year capacity waste processing plant in January 2011. The explosion was believed to have been caused by a sudden loss of pressure in vessels used in the treatment process.
The autoclave was one of two large vessels at the site that used steam and pressure to break down the organic content of household waste derived from Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham councils.
Sterecycle ceased operations at the Sheffield Road plant in October 2012 after having been placed into administration and is currently in liquidation.
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