6 October 2009
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Coldstore boss pleads guilty to safety breach
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THE boss of the New Zealand coldstore, which exploded and caught fire in April last year killing one fireman and injuring seven others, has pleaded guilty to a health and safety charge.
The director, Wayne Grattan, will be sentenced in December, when charges against two fellow directors will be withdrawn.
A disputed facts hearing over the role of Icepak and contractor Mobile Refrigeration in the incident has been scheduled for November 24.
The incident at the Icepak coldstore in Tamahere is though to have been caused by a leak of hydrocarbon from the refrigeration system. The hydrocarbon refrigerant had been stored on site without the required safety certification and without local council approval.
The refrigeration system had previously operated on ammonia and HCFCs.