Cheshire power station operator fined £200,000

A Cheshire power station operator was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,163 after three contractors were injured by a sudden release of water and sludge while carrying out maintenance work.  An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the pressurised contents of the pump and associated pipework had not been discharged prior to work commencing due to the drain pipe being blocked. This resulted in the release of stored energy during the removal of the pump instead of during the isolation process.