Explosion leaves employee disabled
June 18, 2008
Companies are being urged to ensure pressure systems are properly maintained after a man lost his leg following an explosion at a factory in Loughborough.
In 2007 a 44-year-old employee of Authentic World Cuisine suffered multiple injuries when the door of an autoclave exploded under pressure during a cooking cycle, hitting the man and throwing him eight metres across the room.
He suffered multiple fractures, burns and eventually had his leg amputated and spent five months in hospital as a result of his injuries.
Loughborough magistrates' court fined the firm £4,000 for breaching Regulation 12 of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 for failing maintain the vessel in a state of good repair.
Roger Amery, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector, said employers must recognise their responsibility to make sure all machinery is safe.
"I hope this will serve as a reminder to employers and to managers … that as well as ensuring periodic statutory examinations are made, it is equally important to ensure that all maintenance on pressure vessels is undertaken competently," he stated.
Between 1997 and 2007 there were over 94,000 workers in the food and drink industry who suffered an injury reportable to the HSE, with 37 fatalities.
In 2007 a 44-year-old employee of Authentic World Cuisine suffered multiple injuries when the door of an autoclave exploded under pressure during a cooking cycle, hitting the man and throwing him eight metres across the room.
He suffered multiple fractures, burns and eventually had his leg amputated and spent five months in hospital as a result of his injuries.
Loughborough magistrates' court fined the firm £4,000 for breaching Regulation 12 of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 for failing maintain the vessel in a state of good repair.
Roger Amery, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector, said employers must recognise their responsibility to make sure all machinery is safe.
"I hope this will serve as a reminder to employers and to managers … that as well as ensuring periodic statutory examinations are made, it is equally important to ensure that all maintenance on pressure vessels is undertaken competently," he stated.
Between 1997 and 2007 there were over 94,000 workers in the food and drink industry who suffered an injury reportable to the HSE, with 37 fatalities.
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