A Norwich manufacturer has been fined after two employees working with flammable substances in a spray booth died in an explosion in July 2015.
Norwich Crown Court heard how the two workmen sprayed several welded steel buckets and were preparing for the next batch.
The flammable vapour generated whilst cleaning or flushing a paint spray gun was ignited by one of the “various sources of ignition” which were present at the scene and the explosion claimed the lives of both workers.
Wholly avoidable incident
HSE investigators found the immediate cause be the “inconsistent and incomplete approach” to health and safety by the company and its employees which resulted in the lack of a suitable and sufficient safe system of work for the activities in the spray booth.
The company of Spar Road, Norwich pleaded guilty to breaching HSW Act 194 Section 2(1) and the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002 and was fined £145,000 and ordered to pay costs of £65,900.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Keith Waller said:
“This was a tragic and wholly avoidable incident, caused by the failure of the company to implement safe systems of work, and failure to ensure that health and safety documentation was communicated and followed.
