Shell International, a global leader in the oil and gas industry, has been slapped with a hefty fine of £300,000. The penalty was imposed due to severe lapses in fire safety protocols at their Shell Centre headquarters in central London. This fine represents the most significant penalty under the current fire safety legislation.
The Inner London Crown Court saw Shell International plead guilty to three separate breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This prosecution, initiated by the London Fire Brigade, followed the occurrence of two small fires at the Shell Centre on York Road, Waterloo, within a span of three weeks.
The investigation revealed several critical fire safety violations:
- Blocked escape routes
- Obstructed fire exits
- Faulty fire doors
- Excessive fire loading
The fire loading issue was exacerbated by ongoing refurbishments on the building’s upper floors. An inspection on January 12, 2007, uncovered these significant breaches, prompting the London Fire Brigade to issue a prohibition notice. This notice restricted access to the Shell Tower and basement levels, allowing only personnel involved in addressing the fire safety deficiencies to enter these areas.
A follow-up inspection on January 15, 2007, confirmed that all fire safety failings had been rectified, leading to the lifting of the prohibition notice. During the investigation, it was also found that Shell’s fire risk assessment had not been reviewed or updated since March 2003. For nearly three and a half years, the general fire precautions in the building had steadily declined, according to the London Fire Brigade.
In light of the conviction, a spokesperson for Shell issued a statement expressing regret: “We are sorry for the shortcomings but must emphasise there were no injuries to people. We put things right immediately and have also had an independent review of our fire safety plans and condition of the building. Shell Centre is safe, and we are complying fully with the law.”
Shell International’s case highlights the importance of adhering to stringent fire safety standards, particularly in large corporate environments. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potentially severe consequences of neglecting fire safety protocols.
