24
Mar 2016
Manufacturer Fined For Safety Failings
The HSE have confirmed that a manufacturing company based in Shrewsbury and its director have been fined after an empty 45 gallon steel drum that originally contained flammable liquid caught fire and exploded as a result of being cut in half.
Shrewsbury Magistrates Court heard how an employee of SPEL Products had reported the incident, and indicated this particular method of work had been in operation for a significant period of time, and that previous incidents had occurred.
The Health and Safety Executive then launched an investigation into the incident and immediately served a Prohibition Notice to prevent the cutting of metal containers that contained highly flammable liquid or vapour with metal cutting angle grinders.
The company was thereafter fined £13,666 and ordered to pay costs of £4,856.
The director of SPEL Products was also found guilty of health and safety breaches and ordered to pay £4,000 as a fine and costs of £6,408.
This case is notable for two reasons – one is that the HSE are now much more willing to pursue individual directors for health and safety breaches, and also, secondly, that the way the HSE became aware of this incident was by an employee of the company. This is highly likely to become more common as individuals are now far more aware of their rights to a safe working environment.
Speaking after the prosecution, HSE Inspector David Kivlin said after the hearing,
“Carrying out this type of activity in this manner is a well-known risk and there have been many incidents resulting in serious injury and death”.
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