Fire Safety

The firm strips paint and coatings from metal parts for the automotive industry. During the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution, Burton-on-Trent Magistrates' Court heard the incident happened on 19 March 2010, when the man, was supervising the opening of the specialised oven, used to remove paint from metal in a low-oxygen environment.

He suffered acute burns on his face, arm, neck and left hand when the resulting flash fire from the 400 degree oven caught his upper body. He was airlifted to hospital and put into an induced coma and kept on a high dependency ward for four days. He is back at work but cannot stay out in sunlight as his skin is now too sensitive.

The HSE investigation found a safety device designed to prevent the door from being opened at temperatures above 260 degrees had been deliberately bypassed.

The court heard the company failed to consider the risk of fire and explosion from the paints inside the oven, the effect of introducing additional oxygen by opening the oven door, and at what temperature it was safe to open the oven.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 5(1) of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. The company was fined £20,000 in total and ordered to pay £6491 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, a HSE inspector said:

"This was a very serious, entirely preventable incident that could easily have been fatal and left a man on a life support machine. He is extremely lucky to have recovered from his injuries.

"When working with potentially dangerous substances at high temperatures, companies must carry out proper risk assessments and set up a safe system of work.

"This includes checking that safety devices are fit for purpose and suitably maintained."