Edrington fined £40,000 after warehouse fire

Edrington has been fined £40,000 for safety failures that led to a serious fire at its Glasgow warehouse.

The blaze in June 2011 happened when unaged whisky splashed onto a light fitting as casks were being filled, forcing two distillery workers to run for their lives. More than 17,500 litres of whisky were lost during the incident.

Following an investigation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the light fittings should not have been used in a flammable area.

According to the HSE, two workers were filling casks using flexible hoses when a jet of alcohol shot out and splashed onto a light fitting above a forklift truck. The truck immediately caught fire as both men ran from the warehouse.

HSE inspectors said the workmen were “extremely lucky” to have survived the incident.

Having pleaded guilty to breaking section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Edrington, which produces Highland Park and The Macallan whiskies, was fined at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week.

A spokesman for Edrington said: “The company took full responsibility for this incident from the outset and co-operated immediately and fully with both the HSE and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Edrington takes the health and safety of its employees extremely seriously.

“Following an investigation, new procedures were introduced, culminating in the introduction of a new filling facility that became operational in October 2011.

“Edrington has an excellent health and safety record and remains committed to continually improving its health and safety systems. In the last five years Edrington has spent approximately £1.5 million on health and safety improvements.”