ONE of Basildon’s biggest firms is in the dock after it was accused of failing to ensure the safety of its staff.

Case New Holland tractor plant in Cranes Farm Road is facing 22 charges of breaching health and safety legislation.

Four charges relate to an incident on May 7, 2008, when an employee was overcome because of a lack of oxygen.

The worker had been in a chamber used to carry out tests on the tractors, including how they react to temperature changes, when he was taken ill.

In relation to that incident the firm faced one count of failing to sufficiently assess risks created by working with hazardous substances and a charge of failing to ensure the safety of staff working in a confined space.

The other two charges were failing to ensure there were sufficient arrangements to rescue people working in a confined space and failing to ensure two workers were not exposed to risks while carrying out tests with liquid nitrogen.

The firm also faced 18 further charges in relation to lifting equipment, during a hearing at Basildon Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

It is accused of failing to ensure fork lift trucks were adequately maintained.

The trucks are alleged to have deteriorated to such an extent that they were likely to cause accidents.

The company did not enter a plea to the charges.

The case was committed to Basildon Crown Court where the company’s representatives will appear on Friday August 7.

Just last month the Echo told how the tractor plant announced it was axing 150 jobs, giving workers 90 days notice.

All the staff affected work in the product engineering and development department.

There were also unconfirmed rumours that a further 50 jobs would go from the main production line at the plant, which has a distinctive onion-shaped water tower, visible from the A127.