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Firm fined after worker burnt in dust explosion
A technology firm was fined nearly £50,000 after a worker was seriously burnt in a dust explosion, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said today.
Chromalloy UK Ltd, based in Eastwood, Nottingham, was fined and ordered to pay court costs of more than 13,000 at Derby Crown Court.
The HSE brought a prosecution against the company, which overhauls gas turbine engines, after the incident at its premises in Alfreton, Derbyshire, in October 2007.
Employee Paul Gothard, 54, was preparing to mix metal treatment powders but while he was loading aluminium powder into the blender there was a dust explosion and a fireball hit him, setting fire to his overalls.
Mr Gothard, from Selston, Nottingham, suffered serious burns to his hands, arm and face, the HSE said.
The watchdog's investigation said the explosion was caused by the ignition of aluminium powder inside the mixer, most likely to have been caused by a discharge of static electricity.
The original hose used with the mixer had a conductive metal strip but had been replaced by an all-plastic hose without the strip, the HSE said.
Its investigation also found employees had previously reported receiving static shocks from the hose.
Chromalloy pleaded guilty to breaching three regulations of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 at North East Derbyshire and Dales Magistrates' Court in December last year.
Yesterday at Derby Crown Court it was given fines totalling 49,999.98 and ordered to pay costs of 13,199.79, the court confirmed.
HSE inspector Noelle Walker said: "Mr Gothard suffered serious burns in this incident and he's been left with some permanent lack of function in his hand.
"Chromalloy failed to carry out assessments and control risks as required in relation to powdered aluminium, which is an explosible dust.
"This case should send a clear message to other companies to make sure they protect their employees from fire and explosion risks in the workplace."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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