The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) is to be prosecuted after a fire
left a worker with burns to his face and arm. The Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) is taking legal action over the blaze inside a bunker in
Aldermaston, Berkshire, where explosives are housed.
The incident, which occurred at the site on 3 August, 2010, prompted the HSE
investigation. The AWE has been summoned to appear at Reading
Magistrates' Court on 6 August 2012 to face three charges. These are that
the AWE failed to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of its
employees, that it failed to take appropriate measures to limit the extent of
fire or explosion regarding the storage of explosives and it failed to ensure
that suitable personal protective equipment was provided to its employees.
In a statement, the AWE, which maintains warheads for the Trident nuclear
deterrent, said: "AWE deeply regrets the occurrence of the fire at our
Aldermaston site on 3 August 2010. Ensuring the safety of our staff,
neighbours and local community is AWE's highest priority. Following the
fire, we quickly initiated a thorough, independently-led investigation and
published the resulting report in June 2011."
The AWE said the operation being carried out at the time of the fire was
immediately suspended and would not be re-started until a safe alternative
process had been agreed with its regulators.
Some workers and residents were put up in hotels in Aldermaston and Basingstoke
overnight following the fire.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18461823
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