A demolition firm has been fined for safety failings after an employee suffered serious burns when a gas pipe ignited in his face.
The employee, 37, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was carrying out demolition work at a warehouse in Burton-on-Trent when he cut into a metal gas pipe that ignited in his face. He received serious burns to his face and forearms.
He was taken to the local Queens Hospital and later transferred to the burns unit at Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he was treated over two days.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted his employers, Birstall Demolition and Plant Services Ltd of Birstall, West Yorkshire, after an investigation revealed that the incident could have been prevented if his employers had undertaken basic checks to ensure the pipe was safe.
HSE told Burton-on-Trent Magistrates’ Court on Friday 25 May, how the worker could have died in the incident at Centrum 100 Business Park, Burton on Trent on 16 June 2010.
The court heard he was using an angle grinder to remove hardware from a mezzanine area when he cut into a metal gas pipe, unaware it was still live. It then ignited sending flames into his face and forearms.
Birstall Demolition and Plant Services Ltd of Gelderd Road, Birstall, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,256.
(CD/GK)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
13/06/2024
Housebuilder Lovell Partnerships has started construction work to build over 60 new homes in Moreton in the Wirrall. The company is working in partnership with North West housing association Onward Homes Planning permission was granted in March for the project, which involves the redevelopment of ...
13/06/2024
Clegg Construction has completed work on a new Premier Inn hotel in York. The contractor carried out the work on behalf of CBRE Investment Management. The highly sustainable, four-storey development has been built in the shadow of York’s ancient city walls. It brings 188 new bedrooms to the ...
13/06/2024
Plans have been put forward to regenerate Teviot Estate in Poplar, East London. The £800 million redevelopment by The Hill Group and Poplar HARCA will provide around 1,900 new homes with 35% affordable, over five phases. This will be complemented by new open green and play spaces, shops, ...
12/06/2024
Network Space Developments (NSD) has submitted a plans for four new industrial units on its 2.8-acre site on Welcomb Street, Openshaw. The former Manchester College site, accessed from the Ashton Old Road (A635), currently comprises several redundant buildings of varying ages and sizes which were ...
12/06/2024
Sewell Construction has been appointed to manage all minor building works at Hull College's city centre campus. The three year partnership will include replacing doors, windows, flooring and minor repairs. The company will also provide 24/7 emergency response for urgent works, and set up a new ...
12/06/2024
Rutland County Council has awarded its Highways Term Maintenance Contract (HTMC) to Thomas Bow Ltd. The Council's current HTMC ended on 31 May 2024. Thomas Bow Ltd commenced its contract on 1 June and it will run for a period of ten years to 31 May 2034. There will be an option to further extend ...
12/06/2024
Energy firm EDF has unveiled a solar tariff with daily off-peak discounts and zero standing charges or exit fees. The company, which acquired Contact Solar earlier this year, has announced a one-year introductory offer to mark the first of its exclusive solar 'net zero home' product and tariff ...
12/06/2024
SPEEDECK Foundations, a trailblazer in innovative Design and Build foundation solutions in the UK, has established itself as a frontrunner in the industry over the past decade. This June boasts decade-long expertise, bolstered by a dedicated team of geotechnical and design engineers and a ...
12/06/2024
Wates has exchanged contracts to deliver up to 4,500 new homes at Hammonds Farm, Chelmsford. Hammonds Farm has been identified as an allocation in the Chelmsford City Council Preferred Options Local Plan and Wates will now take the project forward to delivery. Grosvenor will no longer be ...
12/06/2024
Amey is to play a key role supporting Network Rail's Environmental Sustainability Strategy and deliver its vision of serving the nation with the cleanest, greenest mass transport. As part of its North West and Central Region Environmental and Professional Services Framework, Amey's expertise ...