The importance of compliance after Buncefield

There doesn't have to be a fatal accident for a large fine to be imposed on an organisation for breaches of duty relating to health, safety and environmental law.

In R v Total (UK) Limited and others, the Crown Court left the five companies involved with fines totalling more than £5.3 million and a legal bill of more than £4 million for their part in the fire and explosion at the Buncefield Oil Storage Depot.

The £1.3 million in fines for the pollution caused are a record in the UK. The £3 million fine for Total is the second highest to be handed down for safety offences. It is not only the level of fine and costs that the companies will be reeling from. The adverse publicity and impact on reputation may be more damaging than the fine itself.

Organisations can avoid these serious consequences by taking health, safety and environmental issues seriously.

Wragge & Co's regulatory experts review the sentencing decision and provide useful action points that organisations should consider taking.