Cold Move, which has premises on Yew Tree Way in Golborne, admitted to lapses in safety over the death of employee Alan Golden, who inhaled toxic ammonia fumes.

A prosecution was brought by Wigan Council's Environmental Health officers after an accident at the unit in September 2005 when 2.5 tons of the chemical were released into the air.

Mr Simon Ward, prosecuting, told Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court that : "This was a serious accident which tragically had fatal consequences. Working on the ammonia system requires specialist knowledge but Alan had had no specialist training, although he had requested it.

"Ammonia is flammable and toxic at high concentrations. It can be corrosive to skin and burn the eyes. It is a highly dangerous chemical and by using it, the defendant had a duty to provide the highest standards of care.
"This was a major incident which left fire officers needing medical attention.

"Homes in the area might have had to be evacuated if it had not been for the favourable weather conditions on the day."
He said Mr Golden had come from the firm's headquarters in Oswestry, Shropshire, to cover at the Golborne site when a local engineer was not available.

The 54-year-old engineer died while draining oil from the liquid ammonia system, and Cold Move admitted that equipment – including emergency equipment – had been defective.

Correct safety procedures were not observed and pipework was also found to be inadequately labelled to aid emergency services.
Cold Move was represented in court by director Nigel Bradbury.

Mr Richard Ollier, defending, said the company offered their deep regrets over the incident and said the firm had not just lost an employee but a valued colleague.

The company will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on September 1 after magistrates opted to send the case to the higher court.