Two workers suffered burns, one seriously, when hot material
from an industrial drier hit them as they tried to tackle a fire at a factory
in South Wales, a court has heard.
The employees of Maxibrite, in Llantrisant, were trying to
fight fire at the Maxibrite coal briquette plant on 16 December 2012 when they
were hurt, one suffering severe burns to his back, legs and hands.
The incident was investigated by the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) which prosecuted Maxibrite at Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard works manager Simon Gilbody and works
engineer Andrew Price were alerted by staff who saw smoke coming from the top
of a tower used to produce solid fuel.
After several attempts to control the fire by hosing the
tower failed, Mr Gilbody decided an inspection hatch at the bottom of the tower
should be opened to let out any dust that might be causing an obstruction.
A company employee, Carl Lewis, opened the hatch but hot
cinders cascaded out, burning Mr Gilbody on the chest, neck and face but
without causing serious injury. As Mr Lewis tried to close the hatch, he was
himself engulfed by hot coals. After showering for 30 minutes he was taken to
hospital and received skin grafts for severe burns.
HSE’s investigation found Maxibrite had not carried out a
suitable risk assessment for the safe working of the rotary drier and failed to
provide a safe way of working including adequate information, instruction and
training for workers using the equipment, and in procedures to follow in the
event of a fire. NEBOSH
Fire Safety & Risk Management
Maxibrite Ltd, of Esh Winning, Durham, was fined a total of
£20,000 and ordered to pay £5,115 in costs after pleading guilty to a breach of
the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and a single breach of the
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. NEBOSH
National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety, IOSH Working Safely.
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