Firm fined after worker suffers fatal burns
July 1, 2008
A car MOT, service and repair business has been fined after pleading to health and safety breaches which led to the death of one of its employees.
The City of London magistrates court ordered Alexanders of Twickenham to pay a total of £36,905 in fines and costs for breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
In December 2005, worker Biagio Malacaria was draining some fuel from a vehicle when his overalls caught fire, engulfing him in flames and severely burning his body.
A co-worker extinguished the flames and Mr Malacaria was taken to hospital where he eventually died from pneumonia.
Under section 2(1) companies must ensure the safety of its employees and Andrew Withers, HM inspector of health and safety, believes the firm was responsible for the man's death.
"The company failed in its duties in a number of ways including having no risk assessment for fire and explosions, a lack of safety measures for this type of work and failing to ensure that all staff were suitably trained," he said.
In other news, the European Campaign for Safety and Health at Work is to focus on the benefits of completing and implementing risk assessments and is aimed at bosses, staff and safety representatives.
The City of London magistrates court ordered Alexanders of Twickenham to pay a total of £36,905 in fines and costs for breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
In December 2005, worker Biagio Malacaria was draining some fuel from a vehicle when his overalls caught fire, engulfing him in flames and severely burning his body.
A co-worker extinguished the flames and Mr Malacaria was taken to hospital where he eventually died from pneumonia.
Under section 2(1) companies must ensure the safety of its employees and Andrew Withers, HM inspector of health and safety, believes the firm was responsible for the man's death.
"The company failed in its duties in a number of ways including having no risk assessment for fire and explosions, a lack of safety measures for this type of work and failing to ensure that all staff were suitably trained," he said.
In other news, the European Campaign for Safety and Health at Work is to focus on the benefits of completing and implementing risk assessments and is aimed at bosses, staff and safety representatives.
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