Tata Steel case demonstrates need for health and safety regulations

Major UK concern Tata Steel has entered a plea of guilty regarding violations of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The firm was fined £500,000 for violating both section 2 and section 3 of the legislation, and will also bear costs in excess of £55,000 in relation to the case.

At issue was the death of Kevin Downey, a middle-aged night worker who served Corus Steel at its Port Talbot plant in 2006. Corus Steel UK was acquired by Tata several years later in 2010. During his regular duties, Mr Downey found himself surrounded by steam. This caused him to become disorientated to the point where he accidentally fell into a channel filled with slag in its molten state – exposing him to temperatures of up to 1500C. Mr Downey emerged with burns covering more than 80 per cent of his body. In the end, these severe injuries killed him.

The case is being held up as an example of the need for more, not less regulation on business. Malcolm Underhill, a specialist in personal injury matters, commented: “The fact that Tata Steel pleaded guilty… implies, particularly when one looks at the heavy fine imposed, that the standards of care directed towards employees was particularly poor. This kind of case should be brought to the attention of those who seek to persuade the Government, that the amount of health and safety legislation should be reduced. To reduce legislation is likely to lead to more accidents like this one.”