Firm fined after fireball
March 6, 2009
An east Midlands company has been fined after an incident left a work experience student burned, which could highlight the importance of fire safety.
Holdingham Garage on Lincoln Road, Sleaford, received a £15,000 fine from Grantham magistrates court, in addition to being ordered to pay costs of £9,000, after admitting a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
In January 2008, a work experience student from a local school suffered burns from a fireball while at the garage, which left him with plastic print from his T-shirt melted into his skin and requiring hospital treatment.
Judith McNulty, HSE inspector, said the accident could have been avoided if the company had carried out a proper risk assessment and implemented steps to minimise any identified dangers.
She added: "Work experience pupils are viewed as employees for the purposes of health and safety legislation, yet they are often more vulnerable than a company's trained and qualified employees."
Last year, the St Helens Reporter revealed that champion bodybuilder Wayne Lockett was almost killed when a large container of paint stripper exploded into a fireball.
Holdingham Garage on Lincoln Road, Sleaford, received a £15,000 fine from Grantham magistrates court, in addition to being ordered to pay costs of £9,000, after admitting a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
In January 2008, a work experience student from a local school suffered burns from a fireball while at the garage, which left him with plastic print from his T-shirt melted into his skin and requiring hospital treatment.
Judith McNulty, HSE inspector, said the accident could have been avoided if the company had carried out a proper risk assessment and implemented steps to minimise any identified dangers.
She added: "Work experience pupils are viewed as employees for the purposes of health and safety legislation, yet they are often more vulnerable than a company's trained and qualified employees."
Last year, the St Helens Reporter revealed that champion bodybuilder Wayne Lockett was almost killed when a large container of paint stripper exploded into a fireball.
More Fire Safety news:
HSE warning on gas safety following prosecution - June 17, 2009Fines issued for school fire safety incident - May 8, 2009
Fine issues for fire safety incident - May 1, 2009
Sleeping on site 'health and safety risks' - April 1, 2009
HSE inspects 100 Teesside businesses - February 13, 2009
