Legal News
Recycling company prosecuted after worker dies in explosion (9 February 2016)
Date: 09/02/2016
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a Sheffield-based scrap metal recycling company, after a worker died from a head injury when a gas cylinder exploded.
On 16 June 2009, Tony Johnson, 55, was working at the Walter Heselwood recycling site, when a pressurised gas cylinder was put through a shearing machine, causing it to explode.
A large section of the cylinder hit Mr Johnson’s head, causing fatal injuries.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found a number of safety failings by Walter Heselwood Limited.
The company had no effective health and safety management system in place – and had failed to adequately assess the risks involved with processing different types of scrap material.
The company also failed to put in place a range of measures to reduce the risks – for example, by providing a blast wall.
At Sheffield Crown Court, Walter Heselwood Limited of Stevenson Road, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £120,000 with £40,000 costs.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Kirsty Storer said:
“Companies processing different materials should have good, documented systems to ensure materials such as pressurised cylinders are sorted and dealt with correctly.
“Workers also need to be properly trained and supervised.
“In addition, where safeguards are provided, they need to be well maintained – and an assessment should be carried out to determine any additional precautions that might be required, such as a pit or blast wall.”
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