Vic: Esso committed to stand trial over Longford explosion

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2000
Vic: Esso committed to stand trial over Longford explosion

Esso has been committed to stand trial on dozens of workplace safety charges over the
1998 Longford gas explosion that killed two workers.

The firm entered not guilty pleas in Melbourne Magistrates Court to 35 WorkCover charges
alleging an unsafe workplace, lack of proper training and supervision, and nine other
summary offences.

Esso has waived its right to a committal hearing.

WorkCover barrister ROBERT RICHTER QC handed Magistrate BARBARA COTTERELL a hand-up
brief detailing the charges.

Ms COTTERELL ordered Esso to stand trial in the County Court on a date to be fixed,
not before April 4.

A spokesman for WorkCover said each of the 35 charges carried a maximum possible penalty
of $250,000 fines.

The nine summary offences carried maximum $40,000 fines, and were adjourned separately
until a date to be fixed.

An inquest into the two Longford deaths has been postponed until after the WorkCover
charges are heard.

AAP RTV gf/er/jn

KEYWORD: GAS (MELBOURNE)

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