CCTV footage of an explosion which left two workers seriously injured has been released by the Health and Safety Executive.
The employees were using a grinder to cut and replace pipework at the top of an 11-metre high metal tank containing waste slurry. They were not using harnesses to carry out the work at the premises in September 2017. Sparks from the grinder ignited flammable gasses causing the tank to explode.
One employee was flung out of the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) into the air and landed on the ground in the slurry around the tank. He suffered serious injuries to his back, head and torso and was in hospital for two months. His injuries were so severe that he was not able to work for more than two years.
The other employee was also thrown into the air and landed back in the basket of the MEWP. Following the incident, his leg was amputated and he remains wheelchair bound as treatment is still ongoing to receive a prosthesis. He also sustained a fractured skull and a piece of metal embedded into his elbow.
The company, which produces electricity from food waste by anaerobic digestion, failed to ensure the health and safety of its employees and others nearby. A joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency found that the company had kept and treated waste in a manner likely to cause pollution to the environment. The explosion was caused by multiple failures in the company’s management system and exacerbated by multiple breaches of the company’s environmental permit.
At a hearing at Nottingham Crown Court last month, the company pleaded guilty to breaching sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. It also admitted breaching regulation 38(2) of the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016 (EPR), and s.33(1)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA). In total, the firm was fined £304,500 and ordered to pay £229,988 in prosecution costs.
Speaking after the sentencing, HSE inspector Richenda Dixon said it was remarkable the employees weren’t killed. ‘This incident resulted from fundamental and multiple failings by the company to properly manage its health and safety risks,’ Dr Dixon added. These included failing to ensure that the design, installation and use of the tanks were safe; failing to carry out risk assessments; failing to put in place a safe system of work; and failing to train and supervise employees.’
Source – IOSH
