The company which owns a mine where two workers were severely injured have responded after being fined £3.6million.

Cleveland Potash Limited (CPL), which operates Boulby mine, near Loftus, in east Cleveland, was handed the fine at Teesside Crown Court today.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations following two separate incidents in 2016 and 2019.

Read more: North East firm fined £3.6 MILLION after two workers severely burned

Two contracted workers were severely burned in the incidents, which involved “arc flashes”, which occurs when a powerful electrical current leaps across a space,  generating extreme temperatures, hot gases, molten metals and associated debris.

Following the hearing, a spokesperson for the company said it had learned “important lessons” and had made changes.

In a statement, they said: “In pleading guilty to the prosecutions brought by the Health and Safety Executive in regard to the two arc flash incidents in 2016 and 2019, we deeply regret the circumstances and particularly the injuries suffered by the two contractors working on our site.

“We have learned important lessons from these incidents, both from our own investigations and the findings of the Health and Safety Executive and have undertaken a number of significant actions aimed at further strengthening our procedures, creating a robust and safe working environment and avoiding any repeat of such incidents.

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“This has included a full review of our maintenance strategy, involving the development of a major hazard inventory and risk assessment process. This has resulted in an extensive revision of maintenance schemes, including enhanced periodic testing and inspection regimes.

“In addition, we continue to invest in new improved equipment to protect against the potential hazard posed by releases of arc flash energy, as well as improved personal protective equipment to provide greater levels of personal protection.

“The changes and improvements we have made are designed to ensure that safety is central to the culture of the company at every level. We take our responsibilities seriously and with our employees, their representatives, contractors, technical experts, the Health and Safety Executive and the industry as a whole, we are working to build a safe, certain and sustainable future for the Boulby operation.”

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