Incident at Muir of Ord-based plant reported to HSE; Site boss at SGL Carbon praises staff for 'excellent job under challenging circumstances'
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AN incident at a high-tech Ross-shire plant producing components used in everything from wind turbines to medical equipment has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive.
A "localised over-pressurisation event" in a production unit within SGL Carbon in Muir of Ord happened at around 5.47am on Wednesday morning.
Stephen Easton, site director, said: “I can confirm there was a localised over-pressurisation event at one the production units at our Muir of Ord plant.
"There were no injuries as a result of the incident. Our operations staff on shift at the time did an excellent job under challenging circumstances.
"Our standard procedures were successfully followed in relation to this type of incident and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed. We evacuated the building and closed all lines as a precautionary measure while a full incident investigation takes place.”
There were 20 staff in the building at the time.
It's understood the impact from the oven-related incident caused at least one member of staff to lose their footing.
The plant – which makes carbon components for a wide variety of products ranging from prosthetic limbs to wind turbine blades – is a key employer in the area. It continued to work through the lockdown period as a supply chain provider of medical equipment supplying hospitals and installed high-tech cameras in its reception area to screen staff as they enter the building.
It said during the coronavirus lockdown that it takes the health and safety of its employees and the wider community "very seriously" and would maintain a skeleton staff to allow the plant to operate safely. It said it was keen to maintain a sustainable business that will be able to continue providing long term employment opportunities in a fragile area.
Related: Muir firm continues to work during lockdown as essential service
