Sheffield company fined after hydraulic leak fireball

Date:

25 November 2009

Release No:

YH/426/09

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned manufacturing companies to inspect their machinery regularly after a hydraulic fluid leak caused an explosion at a Sheffield factory, seriously injuring two agency workers.

The warning follows the successful prosecution today of Tinsley Bridge Ltd, of Tinsley Park Spring Works, Sheffield. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £1,517 costs at Sheffield Magistrates' Court.

In June 2008 two agency workers suffered serious burns after oil from a hydraulic bending machine leaked from a high pressure hose onto a hot metal bar and exploded, causing a fireball.

John Wingfield, 37, was blown across the factory floor by the force of the explosion and suffered burns, Neil Ducker, 44, also suffered burns to his neck and arms in the blast.

The court heard that a risk assessment had been carried out prior to the incident, which had recommended the need for a regular safety inspection of the hydraulic hoses, but no follow-up action was taken by the company.

After the hearing HSE Inspector Tim Johnson commented:

"Today's hearing underlines the importance of carrying out regular safety checks to all machinery and metal-working equipment."

"Despite a previous risk assessment identifying the need for regular hose inspections, the company failed to act on the recommendations. Two men suffered serious and unnecessary injury because of this failing, and I would remind employers that they need to ensure that work equipment is maintained in a safe condition to prevent accidents at work."

Notes to editors

1. 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety."
2. HSE information and news releases can be accessed online at our website.

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