MP Demands Manslaughter Probe into Sonae factory deaths

THE death of two workers on 7th December 2010, at a Merseyside factory, led to calls for a manslaughter probe by an MP.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry demanded the investigation after his constituents Thomas Elmer, 27, and James Bibby, 25, both from Rossendale, Lancashire, were killed at the Sonae chipboard plant, in Kirkby.

The two men were dragged into machinery at the factory.

Mr Berry’s demand came after the ECHO revealed the shocking safety record at the Knowsley Industrial Park premises.

There were 22 reports of major accidents at the site in the last nine years, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures revealed.

The company was also prosecuted by the HSE on four occasions, being hit with fines totalling £132,000.

Since 2001, 45 Sonae staff were forced to take at least three days off work after suffering injury.

There were also five dangerous “near misses” at the factory.

Mr Berry said: “This was a tragic and horrendous loss of life in the run-up to Christmas.

“Should the owners of the factory again be found to have fallen short of safety standards, following a thorough and detailed investigation by the Health And Safety Executive, then I hope steps will be taken to prosecute them for corporate manslaughter.

“If something has gone wrong, then the owners should be brought to justice.

“I am deeply saddened at this tragedy. My sympathies go to their loved ones, especially in the Christmas season.”

HSE chiefs ordered Sonae, a Portuguese firm, to cease working at the plant on eight occasions between 2001 and 2003 because of safety fears. The factory was also issued with four improvement notices.

Issues with the company have been raised in Parliament by Knowsley MP George Howarth.