A company that recycles fire extinguishers has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an employee sustained fatal injuries in a workplace accident.
The 37-year-old man was processing powder fire extinguishers that were at the end of their usable life. He was discharging a fire extinguisher when it had a sudden release of pressure and exploded, striking him in the head. Despite receiving hospital treatment, he died the following day.
An investigation by the HSE found that the company had failed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees. It had failed to conduct a sufficient risk assessment and its systems of work for processing fire extinguishers such as the one involved in the accident were not suitable. It did not have proper storage arrangements for old fire extinguishers awaiting processing, and there was no suitable restraint system to prevent fire extinguishers from ejecting dangerous parts when they were discharged.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay costs of £17,034.
