A shot blasting company in Stockport has been prosecuted after a worker was scarred for life when his legs were set on fire.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the accident found that the Rust Proofing Company (Manchester) Ltd regularly allowed workers to light fires around cast-iron radiators to speed up the process of removing powder coatings.

On 1 April, 2008, a worker employed at the Vauxhall Industrial Estate, Greg Street in Reddish received severe burns to his legs when a can of paint thinner he was pouring onto a fire to boost it ignited and caused an explosion.

On Tuesday (09/02/10) at Trafford Magistrates’ Court, Rust Proofing Company (Manchester) Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by failing to ensure the safety of its employees.

The company was fined £1,003 and ordered to pay £2,997 costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Philip Strickland said that it was ‘disturbing’ that such an incident had to occur before the company implemented safety measures.

‘One of Rust Proofing’s employees was in hospital for three months following the incident and needed extensive skin grafts.

‘He is still undergoing treatment for his injuries nearly two years later, and has been scarred for life as a result of the injuries he suffered.

‘This process for removing powder coatings was extremely dangerous and had been used on numerous occasions by workers,’ said Mr Strickland.

‘The coatings could have been removed safely, as Rust Proofing Company (Manchester)

Ltd had the equipment to do this – but tried to save time by lighting unsafe fires instead. As a result, one of the company’s workers has suffered severe burns to both his legs and will never fully recover.

‘It’s vital that companies take action now to improve safety so similar incidents are prevented from happening again,’ Mr Strickland added.

The HSE says that, every year, workers in the UK suffer burns caused by the uncontrolled ignition of flammable chemicals and other materials they work with – mainly because of the risk of fire and explosion.

More information on how to prevent such accidents and injuries is available at www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion

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