Waste control companies fined more than £200k
Two waste control companies have been fined after a major chemical fire in Crewe.
Greenway Environmental Ltd and waste shredder manufacturer, Pakawaste Ltd, were sentenced at Chester Crown Court on 28th July and ordered to pay a total of £224,530.
The fine is in relation to an explosion and fire at Aztec Aerosols on the Gateway Industrial Estate on 4 June 2007.
The fire was caused by an explosion in aerosol-shredding equipment. More than 100 firefighters attended the scene.
The HSE said: “Many of the aerosols shot into the air and onto nearby roads after setting alight, and neighbouring buildings were damaged. A 200-metre exclusion zone was set up while fire crews brought the blaze under control, and explosions of drums and cylinders could be heard more than half a mile away.”
The investigation by the HSE found that the machine had not been designed to safely shred waste containers with residues of flammable liquids and gases. It should have been operated in a separate area away from any flammable substances.
Greenway Environmental was fined £37,500 and ordered to pay costs of £50,000 and Pakawaste was fined £50,000, with costs of £87,030.
Company fined over £20,000 for safety breaches after man seriously injured in fire
A 24 year old man suffered serious burns from a flash fire after opening an industrial oven door at a factory unit in Tamworth in March 2010.
The man who worked at Environ-Strip (UK) had to be put in an induced coma. He suffered acute burns to his face, arms, neck and left hand when his body was engulfed in the flames.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that a safety device that prevents the oven door from opening if the temperature is in excess of 260 degrees had been ‘deliberately bypassed’.
The company was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay over £6,000 in costs after Burton-on-Trent Magistrates Court found them guilty of 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.
Gail Pannell from HSE 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.”
Fireman dies in airport explosion
A fireman has died in an explosion at Cotswold Airport.
45 year old Steve Mills who was the fire services manager at the Kemble airport, died following a cylinder explosion at the airfield at 12.45pm on Friday 15th April.
Mr Mills had been a firefighter at Malmesbury for 10 years before becoming fire services manager at the airport.
Chief fire officer at Wiltshire fire and rescue service said: “Steve was a dedicated and popular member of the team at Malmesbury. We were able to draw on his knowledge, contacts and expertise, which in turn strengthened our ability to serve our local communities, and we recognise and are grateful for the contribution he made. Steve will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. All of the crew at Malmesbury are devastated by the loss of a friend and colleague, and the service is giving them as much support as possible at this difficult time.”
The incident was attended by crews from Cirencester and Tetbury fire stations.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are investigating the incident but it is not currently being treated as suspicious.