Firm fined for fireball horror

Phil Dutton, who worked at South Essex Stockholders Ltd in Vanguard Way , Shoebury, was engulfed in a fireball on 3rd February 2009, after a can of flammable solvent exploded.

His condition was so serious that he had to be airlifted to a specialist burns unit.

At Southend Magistrates' Court on Thursday 9th December, the firm pleaded guilty to three health and safety offences and in addition to the fine was also ordered to pay £7,650 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Health and Safety Officers investigated the incident, assisted by Essex Police and the Health and Safety Executive. They found: 

• a lack of management control for safe waste disposal
• uncontrolled burning of materials was not uncommon
• inadequate measures to store flammable chemicals safely
• a large amount of volatile liquid stored in a cupboard in the welding shop and
• a failure to ensure staff were protected when working with harmful chemicals

In addition to prosecuting the firm Council officers also served South Essex Stockholders Ltd with Improvement Notices under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

These required it to implement appropriate and safe systems for waste disposal, storing and using dangerous substances and using harmful chemicals.

Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Waste, Councillor Tony Cox, said: "This was a horrifying incident for all concerned and it could have had even more serious consequences.

"This case clearly shows it is vitally important for employers to take all reasonable steps to protect their employees and, in particular, to make sure that the use of chemicals in the workplace is rigidly controlled."