Legionnaire's inquiry

Prosecutions and Claims |
01.10.2006

Barrow Borough Council has launched an inquiry into the legionnaire's disease outbreak in Barrow in July and August 2002 which killed at least five people. In July the council's design services manager, Gillian Beckingham, was cleared of manslaughter but fined £15,000 for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act (see HSW August/September, page 6). Barrow Council pleaded guilty to health and safety charges and was fined £125,000. The inquiry, led by seven councillors, will be held largely in private to encourage witnesses to speak openly and could result in disciplinary action.