A fine of €100,000 was imposed on Premier Periclase Ltd on Thursday 4th May by Judge Michael O’Shea, at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court.

At a previous sitting of the court the company (Premier Periclase Ltd) pleaded guilty to a breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

The case arose after an employee of the company was fatally injured on 30th October 2014 at the company’s Plant in Drogheda, Co Louth.

The company manufacture Magnesia which is used for lining high temperature furnaces in the steel and glass industries.

During a shutdown of the Plant, Mr. Patrick Lambe, a charge-hand employed by Premier Periclase Ltd, was part of a four man crew clearing limestone blockages in the preheater. He was crushed when a large blockage fell on top of him.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) concluded that certain safety procedures were not fully implemented on the day of the accident.

Premier Periclase Ltd pleaded guilty to Section 8(2)(e) of the 2005 Act contrary to Section 77(9)(a) in that their employee Patrick Lambe suffered personal injury and died.

Speaking after the company was sentenced, Assistant Chief Executive of the HSA, Brian Higgisson said:

“All employers have a duty to provide safe systems of work and ensure measures are in place to prevent accidents. It is important that all safety procedures are initiated and followed, at all times, particularly where there is a risk of being struck by falling material.”

Source : hsa.ie