Temporary lay-offs and reduced hours were today announced for 61 employees at a Cork chemical plant where a worker was recently killed in an explosion.
Production at Corden Pharma Chem facility in Little Island has been suspended since the tragic death of 58-year-old Liam Nodwell last month.
Management said it is actively engaged in a process to resume operations at the Little Island site by July, at which time it will then start back on a phased basis.
In the meantime, other ancillary activities continue to be undertaken.
Director Paudie Burke said the decision to temporarily lay off staff was regrettable but necessary.
“We have stressed to our employees that we believe this is a temporary problem and we are hopeful that the site will get back to production activities within a relatively short space of time,” he added.
Mr Nodwell, from Glanmire, Co Cork, was killed and a second worker seriously injured in the blast on April 28th. The explosion was the third incident at the plant in recent months.
The second man is still receiving treatment for his injuries in Cork University Hospital.
The company said it’s internal investigation into the incident, which has been assisted by outside experts, is nearing completion and a final report is then awaited.
A separate investigation being conducted by the Heath & Safety Authority was still ongoing.
Corden PharmaChem, which has operated in Cork since 1974, had employed 105 people.
It manufactures a range of active pharmaceutical ingredients for products used for the treatment of blood pressure, prostate cancer, pain management, psychosis and blood thinning.
PA