The Environment Agency has reminded waste producers to “take their environmental responsibilities seriously” after a Middlesbrough businessman was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence for illegally burning materials on his land.
Brian Hannon, of Cleveland View, Faceby, caused a major waste fire at his chemical company in March 2015 after instructing staff to burn materials on-site rather than hire a commercial waste collector, the Agency noted.
Mr Hannon was handed a six month suspended prison sentence after the waste fire
Mr Hannon pleaded guilty to breaching the Environmental Protection Act and was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday (16 November).
The court heard how Mr Hannon, 73, was serving as managing director of Melbray Chemicals Ltd on Durham Lane Industrial Estate in Eaglescliffe when the fire broke out.
Chemicals
The business – which has since gone into receivership – created and supplied chemicals for use in the oil and gas drilling industry, with raw material brought on-site for blending. Surplus stock, which included corrosive, flammable and toxic substances, was stored outside.
Craig Hassall, acting on behalf of the Environment Agency, told the court how there was no concreted surface at the site to prevent chemicals spilling into the ground, while the company’s production manager had received no formal training during his 27 years at the firm.
Melbray Chemicals also had no commercial waste collection in place, and instead staff were told by Hannon to burn waste on site in a fire pit – near to chemical drums.
Fire
On 5 March 2015, staff started a fire to burn paperwork and wooden pallets. They stayed with the fire until they thought it was out but didn’t ensure it was properly extinguished.
Around ‘lunchtime’, Hannon admits that he placed more materials in the burning area, not realising there could still be hot embers from the earlier fire.
A short time later two of the chemical containers were found to be on fire, which created thick black smoke which worsened with the windy conditions. When staff unsuccessfully attempted to control the fire, the emergency services were called.
Damage
An estimated 1,600 litres of formaldehyde spilled into the ground during the fire and ‘extremely hazardous’ industrial-strength sulphuric and hydrochloric acid leaked out of containers.
During the ‘several hours’ it took for firefighters to extinguish the blaze, Durham Lane had to be closed, several businesses were evacuated and residents were told to stay indoors. The fire cost insurers more than £1 million to clean up the site and make it and other affected properties usable again.
‘Unaware’
In interview, Hannon had said he was ‘unaware’ it was illegal to burn waste on his site and admitted that he had left the fire pit unattended on the day of the fire.
In mitigation the director had never been in trouble before in his life and had a number of good character references during the case. He suffered financially after the business went into receivership following the blaze.
“Hannon ignored environmental law because he wanted to cut corners and save himself the cost of running his business legally.”
Ian Barker-Jones
Environment Agency
Mr Hannon was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £5,000 in costs plus an £80 victim surcharge.
‘Reckless’
Speaking after the case, Environment Agency officer Ian Barker-Jones, said: “Hannon ignored environmental law because he wanted to cut corners and save himself the cost of running his business legally. His reckless practices had a high price though because his business went up in smoke and it was only due to the quick actions of the emergency services that there wasn’t a major pollution incident.
“This case demonstrates the need for all businesses to take their environmental responsibilities seriously. Like Hannon, failure to do so can destroy your business, have an immediate impact on people around you and pollute the environment for future generations.”
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