It was confirmed yesterday that Tata Steel has been fined £500,000 for the death of Kevin Downey in 2006.
Tata will also have to pay an additional £58,000 to cover prosecution costs.
Mr Downey died when he fell into a molten slag runner at the Tata Port Talbort steelworks. The runner had been left uncovered after cleaning.
Although the site was owned by Corus at the time of Mr Downey’s death, Tata Steel pleaded guilty to charges of failing to ensure the health and safety of employees.
Jon Ferriman, director of Port Talbot steelworks said in a statement that, “Tata Steel deeply regrets Kevin’s death and the terrible loss suffered by his widow Tanya, his two children and other family members and friends.”
Mr Ferriman also said that Mr Downey’s death had a profound effect on the steelworks itself where he was “well known and respected throughout the business.”
Defending Tata’s attitude toward health and safety at its sites Mr Ferriman assured that, “The health and safety of our employees and contractors is our most important priority.Tata Steel constantly places a great deal of emphasis on creating a strong and ever improving safety culture in the organisation – and into improving our processes and procedures.”
