States Employment Board admits Haut Du Mont safety breaches

The States Employment Board has admitted safety failings over the fatal explosion at Haut du Mont in December 2022.

The SEB - the body that employs public sector staff - has pleaded guilty to two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Law.

A Health and Safety Inspectorate investigation concluded the SEB failed to ensure the health and safety of its staff and the public.

The charges relate to the actions of the 999 control centre and the Fire and Rescue Service on 9 December 2022, the evening before the deadly blast on Pier Road that killed ten people.

Residents had reported smelling gas.  Firefighters and the gas company attended the flats.

Andrew McLaughlin, the government's Chief Executive Officer and Head of the Public Service, appeared in Jersey's Magistrate's Court this morning (25 September) representing the SEB, and entered two guilty pleas.

The charging decision was announced last week.

 Paul Brown, Chief Officer of Jersey Fire and Rescue 

In a short statement following the hearing, Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown said:

"We remain deeply saddened by the tragic events of 10 December 2022 at Haut du Mont and continue to fully support the investigations that have taken place.

"We have already made changes to strengthen arrangements and to reduce risk.

"We will not stop learning and implementing improvements from all incidents, in Jersey and elsewhere, and we will share our learning to help others.

"The States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service exists to make Jersey a safer community. That mission continues."

Deputy Malcolm Ferey, Vice Chair of the States Employment Board, said:

"Both the States of Jersey Fire & Rescue Service and the Emergency Services Control Centre (Fire and Rescue) remain committed to strengthening arrangements in the areas identified by the Health and Safety Inspectorate’s thorough investigation.

"This includes training and supervision, policies and processes, and equipment use, particularly when dealing with risks related to the smell of gas.

"The safety of our Island community is paramount, and we will continue to reduce risk, strengthen processes, and make improvements based on our learnings from this incident and others.

"While we cannot comment further until the legal process has concluded, my sincere thoughts and prayers remain with the families, friends and all those who have been affected by this unprecedented and tragic event."

The gravity of the case means it has been sent to the Royal Court, listed for 4 November.

Separately, gas company Island Energy has denied the same two offences under the Health and Safety at Work Law.

Three former IE employees - Neil Armstrong (56), Lee Alan Ward (57) and John Mark Wright (59) - each deny ten counts of gross negligence manslaughter.

Raymond Brown (71), Kathy McGinness (73), Billy Marsden (62), Ken Ralph (72), Jane Ralph (71), Peter Bowler (72), Derek Ellis (61), Sylvia Ellis (73), Romeu De Almeida (67) and Louise De Almeida (64), were killed in the explosion at Haut du Mont on 10 December 2022 just before 4:00 am.