Pirelli industrial incident returns to the news

Lurid local newspaper headlines have rekindled media interest in the industrial incident that resulted in the death of a man at Pirelli’s Carlisle tyre factory. However, with the Police having already confirmed that they are no longer pursuing a criminal investigation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation ongoing and with no date for the inquest, there is little more to report and no further comment from the parties involved.

Nevertheless it appears that accusations from the Cumbria News & Star accusing the tyre maker of law-breaking have prompted a statement from Pirelli clarifying the company’s position. The headlines in question have since been altered.

“Further to the unexplained death of George Falder on site at the Carlisle plant in September 2012, the standard procedure of investigations by both the Police and the Health and Safety Executive began. Checks were performed on the autoclave and it was released back into service the day after the incident and found to be in normal working order. The Police investigation was duly completed and concluded that no criminal acts had taken place.  The HSE were then handed primacy of the investigation and made some recommendations for improvements in respect of Pirelli’s operation of the autoclave. Pirelli has fully complied with these recommendations to the HSE’s satisfaction,” Pirelli said in an official statement.

Pirelli representatives further explained that, given that there were no work-related reasons for Mr Falder entering the autoclave, as the HSE investigation has not yet been concluded and as the Coroner’s inquest is still to be held, there is nothing further that can be said at this time. “Ultimately, the Company’s thoughts are still with the family, friends and work colleagues of Mr Falder,” the statement concluded.

Speaking with Tyres & Accessories, a spokesperson for the HSE confirmed that although police enquiries are complete, the HSE investigation is on-going. Like Pirelli the HSE refused to make any further comment until their investigation is complete.

T&A will report on the details of the continuing investigations as they reach their conclusions.