Stockport company fined after worker's legs set alight

Date:

9 February 2010

Release No:

HSE/NW/024Rust/09

A Stockport shot blasting company has been fined after a worker was scarred for life when his legs were set on fire.

Rust Proofing Company (Manchester) Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident on the Vauxhall Industrial Estate, Greg Street, Reddish. The company was fined £1,003 and ordered to pay £2,997 towards the cost of the prosecution at Trafford Magistrates' Court on 9 February 2010.

The worker received severe burns to his legs on 1 April 2008 when a can of paint thinner, which he was pouring onto a fire to get it going, ignited causing an explosion.

The aftermath of the fire at the Rust Proofing Company (Manchester) Ltd site

The court heard that Rust Proofing Company (Manchester) Ltd regularly allowed employees to light fires around cast-iron radiators to speed up the process of removing powder coatings.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by failing to ensure the safety of its employees.

HSE Inspector Philip Strickland said:

"One of Rust Proofing's employees was in hospital for three months following the incident and needed extensive skin grafts. He is still undergoing treatment for his injuries nearly two years later, and has been scarred for life as a result of the injuries he suffered.

"It's disturbing that this company needed something like this to happen before taking action to improve safety. This process for removing powder coatings was extremely dangerous and had been used on numerous occasions by workers.

"The coatings could have been removed safely as Rust Proofing Company (Manchester) Ltd had the equipment to do this, but tried to save time by lighting unsafe fires instead. As a result, one of the company's workers has suffered severe burns to both his legs and will never fully recover.

"It's vital that companies take action now to improve safety so similar incidents are prevented from happening again."

Every year, employees across the UK suffer burns caused by the uncontrolled ignition of flammable chemicals and other materials they work with. Work with flammable substances is hazardous because of the risk of fire and explosion. More information is available at www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion

Notes to editors

1. The attached photo shows the aftermath of the fire which injured a worker in Reddish.
2. 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.

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