Shell to Pay Huge Fine for Violation of Fire Safety Regulation
In a recent action against breaches of workplace regulations, a huge fine of £300,000 along with £45,000 in costs was imposed upon Shell International Ltd. for grave violations of Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the RRO). This is the highest amount that has been imposed under the RRO. Shell has pleaded guilty to the charges.
Shell was prosecuted after two incidents of minor fires in the Shell Centre on York Road, London within the span of a month. The breaches were discovered in an inspection carried out by the London Fire Brigade in early 2007, wherein it was found that the Centre had not only impeded fire escape paths and exits, but also had faulty fire doors. Further, there was a large amount of fire loading due to the renovations undertaken on the upper floors.
It was also noted that Shell had failed to update its own fire hazard assessment, which was last conducted in the year 2003. This assessment had identified several areas that needed immediate attention but no action was taken for over three years, which resulted in an increase in fire risks. Despite the fact that risk assessments are required to be revisited once every year, Shell allowed the conditions with respect to fire risks to deteriorate. Companies need to be sure they are aware of the principles of fire safety and make themselves full aware of the most up-to-date requirements by visting Workplace Law and looking at their highly regarded nebosh fire safety courses.
Alarmingly, some of the areas identified in the 2003 assessment are the same as those found by the inspectors in 2007. The breaches were so grave that the London Fire Brigade was compelled to prohibit the use of the tower and basements of the Centre, allowing only specific people working on updating fire safety devices to enter these areas. However, a subsequent inspection found all fire safety measures to be in place and the prohibition on employees entering these areas was lifted.
