Cement company fined after worker set on fire

Date:

5 November 2010

Release No:

HSE-E-41

An international cement company has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a worker was set alight in an explosion.

Electrical engineer, Paul Ridings, 39, of South Benfleet, Essex had been contracted to work for Lafarge Cement UK Plc, when he was engulfed by the fireball at the firm's site at Thurrock Marine Terminal, Grays, Essex.

Basildon Crown Court today heard that on 10 October 2008, Mr Ridings was investigating a fault with an energy meter when he inadvertently disturbed a loose connection and exposed a strand of wire leading to an electrical explosion.

Mr Ridings' clothes caught fire and he sustained burns to his face, neck, chest, arms and hands. He received emergency treatment and spent 19 days in the Specialist Burns Unit at Broomfield Hospital. Since the incident he has undergone numerous skin grafts and operations to remove scar tissue.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Lafarge Cement UK Plc of Granite Way, Syston, Leicester failed to ensure electrical systems were maintained in such a way as to protect workers.

The company admitted breaching sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £130,000 and ordered to pay costs of £29,742.

HSE inspector, David King, said:

"Every year approximately 20 people die from electrical shocks or burns following incidents at work. Mr Ridings could easily have been killed in this incident.

"It's clear that in this case the overall arrangements for maintaining electrical assets were inadequate and the health and safety of both staff and contractors were put at risk.

"HSE will proactively prosecute any company exposing workers to these unnecessary risks."

Information on electrical safety at work for employers and employees is available on HSE's website at www.hse.gov.uk/electricity

Notes to editors

1. Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974 states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees."
2. Section 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 it is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby and not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety."
3. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement.

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