Harford Attachments Limited has been fined £145,000 and ordered to pay costs of £65,900 after two of its employees were killed by a spray booth explosion that contained flammable substances.
After being summoned to court On the 13 July 2015, Norwich Crown Court heard how the two workers had already sprayed several welded steel buckets that morning and were preparing for their next batch.
However, the flammable vapour generated whilst cleaning or flushing a paint spray gun was ignited causing a major explosion, which consequently killed both workers.
After pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and breaching Regulation 6(4)(f)(i) of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002, Harford Attachments Limited was ordered to pay substantial costs.
HSE inspector Keith Waller has been quoted at the hearing stating: “This was a tragic and wholly avoidable incident, caused by the failure of the company to implement safe systems of work, and failure to ensure that health and safety documentation was communicated and followed.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
The investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the immediate cause of the explosion to be the inconsistent and incomplete approach to health and safety by the company and its employees, which resulted in the lack of suitable control measures.
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