A sheet metal contractor has been prosecuted after a worker suffered serious burn injuries.

Mettech (Hereford) Limited of Folbigg Court, Rotherwas Industrial Estate, Hereford, was fined £20,000 with £2,685 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Hereford Magistrates' Court heard how an employee of Mettech sustained burns to his face, ears and head while attempting to light a gas burner within a powder coating oven.


A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the gas oven involved did not meet current health and safety standards in that it did not have a flame failure device to prevent the accumulation of unlit gas within the oven. In addition, the oven had not been adequately maintained or inspected by a person competent in gas safety. The company also failed to ensure that their employees followed a safe system of work.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Sarah Reilly said: "This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.

"Companies need to be made aware that they employ people who are competent in gas safety matters to inspect and maintain their gas oven appliances and to ensure that employees are properly trained to light gas ovens."

(LM/MH)