After a company suffered an arson attack and the police were called in they were prosecuted for having unsafe working practices - 3rd April 2010

A waste recycling company, based in York, has been fined £40,000 after an arson attack on its own business which led to it being inspected and found to be an unsafe workplace.

BCB Environmental Management Limited was ordered to pay the fine at Harrogate Magistrates Court after it pleaded guilty to breaching the Dangerous Substances and Explosives Atmospheres Regulations 2002.

The fire was caused by a former employee and it led to a joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive and North Yorkshire Police resulting in the company admitting processing drums of volatile chemicals close to unprotected electrical equipment and forklift trucks. The ex-worker ignited the drums to start a blaze.

HSE Inspector Stephen Britton said: “As a hazardous waste specialist BCB should have been well aware of the relevant legislation and should never have handled flammable material in this way.”

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