Employee suffered serious burns in workplace accident

A worker who went to stop a petrol leak during a fuel transfer was engulfed in flames suffering serious injuries - 10th November 2008

 

Phoenix Autoparts 2000 Ltd of Nottingham has been prosecuted following a workplace accident on 25th August 2006 in which an employee received serious burns.

The accident happened as petrol was being transferred from a fuel retriever tank into the petrol tank of a vehicle. The employee saw that the transfer was leaking and walked through a puddle of petrol to try and stop it. The 59 year old employee suffered his severe injuries at work when the petrol ignited, probably from an oxyacetylene torch being used near by, causing him to suffer burns to 17% of his body, mainly to the backs of his legs, arms and hands.

At Nottingham Magistrates Court Phoenix Autoparts 2000 Ltd pleaded guilty to two charges, one for breaching regulation 6 (3) of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 which states: "Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risk pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), the employer shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, apply measures consistent with the risk assessment and appropriate to the nature of the activity or operation (a) to control risks, including the measures specified in paragraph (4); and (b) to mitigate the detrimental effects of a fire or explosion or the other harmful physical effects arising from dangerous substances."

And a second charge of breaching regulation 5 (1) of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 states: "Where a dangerous substance is or is liable to be present at the workplace, the employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to his employees which arise from that substance", they were fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £2,375 costs.

This was a clear case of inadequate health and safety measures being in place leading to this employee suffering serious burns from this accident at work. He was in hospital for five weeks and has still not returned to work.

A Nottinghamshire Inspector for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said: "This was a traumatic incident for the employee, and the company's management were shocked by what happened. Nevertheless, this incident highlights the need for companies dealing with hazardous substances such as petrol to ensure they control all the risks associated with that substance."