States Employment Board acknowledges safety failings at Haut du Mont
- markdarrenwilkinso
- Sep 25
- 1 min read
The States Employment Board has pleaded guilty to safety failings linked to the fatal explosion at Haut du Mont in December 2022, which claimed ten lives.
The SEB admitted two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Law following an investigation that found it had failed to protect staff and the public. The case relates to the response of firefighters and the 999 control centre the night before the blast, when residents had reported smelling gas.
Jersey’s Chief Executive, Andrew McLaughlin, entered the guilty pleas at Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. The matter has been referred to the Royal Court for sentencing in November.
In a statement, Fire Chief Paul Brown said the service had already made changes to strengthen safety measures and remained committed to learning lessons from the tragedy. Deputy Malcolm Ferey, vice-chair of the SEB, added that training, supervision, and processes would continue to be improved.
Gas company Island Energy has denied the same charges. Three of its former employees face separate manslaughter allegations, which they contest.
