A 35-year-old company owner was yesterday fined €25,000 for failing to provide a safe system of work, following an accident in which a 23-year-old man was killed when a petrol tank that he was repairing exploded.
Robert Fitzgerald, Aghada, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to a breach of Health and Safety Act regulations relating to the provision of a safe system of work in a confined space following the death of Casey Whyte at Fitzgerald Commercials, Youghal Road, Midleton, on September 1st, 2003. Mr Whyte, Seafield Estate, Youghal, was killed when a residue of dangerous gases inside the tank caused an explosion.
Health and Safety Authority inspector Mark Rowlands told Cork Circuit Criminal Court there was a gas meter to check the presence of dangerous gases on the premises, but it was faulty and not in use at the time.
Fitzgerald's barrister Marjorie Farrelly said her client was anxious to face up to his responsibilities. Since the accident the company no longer cleaned out tanks before doing maintenance work.
