Toxic fumes 'may have killed' workers at Blackmoor Estate
ToxiRAE II - O2 Monitor
from RAE Systems
Toxic fumes may have been responsible for the deaths of two workers at a renowned country estate, it has been revealed.
Two workers who died at a renowned country estate may have been killed by toxic fumes, the coroner working on the case has revealed.
Scott Cain, 23, and Ashley Clarke, 24, were discovered in critical condition in the apple store at the 2,500-acre Blackmoore Estate in Liss, Hants.
The site is known for its effective long-term storage of apples, plums and other fruits and uses a sophisticated system to keep the produce fresh.
North East Hampshire coroner Andrew Bradley speculated that the use of gasses to store the fruit may have led to the men's deaths, but admitted he was awaiting the toxicology report.
"The farm workers were going into the apple store, which is kept cool by nitrogen, to look for apples," he revealed.
"We don't know what happened after that - I presume they were overcome by fumes and the absence of oxygen, but we can’t be sure yet."
The estate was established in the 1920s and is the home of Tory peer John Palmer - the Earl of Selborne.
Fruit is grown, stored, graded and packed on site and is often used in cider and juices.
Managing director William Wolmer - Lord Selborne's son - said the "tightknit community" was "absolutely devastated" by the news.
He revealed that a joint investigation between the Health and Safety Executive and law enforcement officials is due to begin.
Gas detection equipment and employee education can be vital in protecting workers from toxic fumes in the workplace.
Frontline Safety provide a wide range of gas detection equipment - including oxygen monitoring equipment. The ToxiRAE II oxygen monitor is a single gas detector from RAE Systems is part of the products offered on the Frontline Safety website.
Agricultural workers are often at risk from fumes and tragedies such as this happen all too often.
Last year international rugby star Nevin Spence died along with his father and brother in a slurry pit accident in which the men were overcome by toxic fumes.
Posted by Shona Innes
