Autoclave Waste to Energy Plant Death Leads to Manslaughter Charges in UK

The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is to prosecute Sterecycle (Rotherham) Limited for corporate manslaughter following major explosion in 2011 which lead to the death of an employee. The now defunct Rotherham based company used autoclave technology as part of its process to recover energy from municipal solid wastes. The incident occurred on 11 January 2011 when the door to the autoclave that Michael Whinfrey was working on blew out under pressure. Another operator was seriously injured as a result of the explosion at the recycling plant at Templeborough, Rotherham. Jane Wragg, specialist prosecutor in the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "I have carefully reviewed the evidence gathered by South Yorkshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive during their investigation into the tragic death of Michael Whinfrey. I have concluded that Sterecycle (Rotherham) Limited should be charged with an offence of corporate manslaughter. "I have also authorised charges under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act against Kevin Goss (maintenance manager), Steven Weaver (operations manager) and Paul Greenwell (operations director) and a further charge of perverting the course of justice against Kevin Goss,” she continued. Wragg added that the decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The first hearing will take place at Rotherham Magistrates' Court on 14 October 2013. Read More Osha Citations Follow Fatal Explosion at Cincinnati Hazardous Waste Facility OSHA has cited Cincinnati based Environmental Enterprises with numerous safety violations following a fatal explosion at its hazardous waste plant. Amputation at Recycling Plant Prompts OSHA Action in New Jersey Following the amputation of a worker's fingers at a recycling transfer station in New Jersey, OSHA has cited Lieze Associates. Homicide Fear as Mummified Head Found at Californian Recycling Police have said that a mummified human head, potentially from a homicide, which was found at a West Oakland recycling center in California, probably came from outside the city.