Workers Injured Tackling fire – Employer Fined
Two workers suffered burns, one seriously, when hot material from an industrial drier hit them as they tried to tackle a fire at a factory in South Wales, a court has heard.
The employees were trying to fight fire at a coal briquette plant in December 2012 when they were hurt. One of the employees suffered severe burns to his back, legs and hands.
The company was prosecuted by the H.S.E.
The court heard works manager Simon Gilbody and works engineer Andrew Price were alerted by staff who saw smoke coming from the top of a tower used to produce solid fuel.
After several attempts to control the fire by hosing the tower failed, Mr Gilbody decided an inspection hatch at the bottom of the tower should be opened to let out any dust that might be causing an obstruction.
A company employee, Carl Lewis, opened the hatch but hot cinders cascaded out, burning Mr Gilbody on the chest, neck and face but without causing serious injury. As Mr Lewis tried to close the hatch, he was himself engulfed by hot coals. After showering for 30 minutes he was taken to hospital and received skin grafts for severe burns.
The investigation discovered that the company had not undertaken a suitable risk assessment for the safe working of the rotary drier and also failed to provide a safe method of working including adequate information, instruction and training for workers using the equipment, and in procedures to follow in the event of a fire.
The company was fined a total of £20,000 and ordered to pay £5,115 in costs after pleading guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and a single breach of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.
The following comment was made by the H.S.E.
“Mr Lewis and Mr Gilbody could have suffered far worse injuries or even death in this incident, which could have been prevented.
“The drying process at the plant involved intensive heat so the risks of fire should have been obvious. There had been a fire at the plant previously involving a similar drying process.
“Employers must make sure they have proper plans for dealing with emergency situations and that workers are trained to know what to do when something like a fire breaks out.”
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