Firm fined after factory explosion
06/09/2010
A industrial bakeware manufacturer whose employee suffered 60% burns after a can of thinner exploded at its factory has been fined £10,000.
The man, who asked to remain anonymous, was working as a welder for Flurocarbon Bakeware Systems Ltd at its facility in Beeston, Nottingham, when the blast occurred on December 16, 2008. The 33-year-old from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, was cutting metal when a spark ignited vapours from the nearby can of thinner, which sent burning liquid raining down on his body.
Nottingham magistrates heard a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found flammable liquids were stored safely elsewhere in the factory, but there was no risk assessment or storage provision for thinners in that particular area.
The Hertford-based firm admitted breaching regulations 5(1) and 6(1) of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, was fined £10,000 and also ordered to pay £5,227 in costs.
HSE inspector Sian Tiernan said: "This incident was entirely preventable had simple precautions been taken. This must have been a terrifying incident for the worker, and it was only by chance that his colleague had left the work area a few moments earlier otherwise he too could have been injured."
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