£30k fine after explosion which 'could have killed or seriously injured'
An explosion in which a 45 gallon steel drum was blown apart has led to a company being ordered to pay almost £30,000 in fines and costs.
Spel Products was told the blast could have killed or seriously injured workers.
The drama happened when the container, which had contained flammable liquid, caught fire.
A worker at the firm in Lancaster Road, Shrewsbury, reported the explosion to the Health and Safety Executive.
It was taken to Shrewsbury Magistrates Court, which was told the container blew up as it was being cut in half.
The HSE said this method of work had been in operation for a significant period of time and that previous incidents had happened.
The court was told inspectors immediately served a prohibition notice stopping the cutting of metal containers once containing highly flammable liquid or vapour with metal cutting angle grinders.
HSE inspector David Kivlin said: "Carrying out this type of activity on this manner is a well-known risk and there has been many incidents resulting in serious injury and death."
Spel Products pleaded guilty to breaching dangerous substances and explosives atmospheres regulations.
It was fined £13,666 and ordered to pay costs of £4,856.
Spel director Bryan Pocock was found guilty of a further charge and was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,408.
Company director Paul Pocock said: "This relates to one incident that happened during a process for the disposal of empty drums.
"The correct method has been proved safe but instructions were not followed in this one reported incident.
"Disposal of empty drums is a problem as our suppliers refuse to take them back. Cutting into two for acceptance to landfill and is the only answer at present.
"The company, established in 1964, has operated its processes to Health & Safety standards for more than 50 years without any previous conviction."
Spel Products provide products and systems for the storage, attenuation, monitoring, treatment and utilisation of surface water.It is a global operation with Spel environmental in Australia and New Zealand and distribution facilities throughout the world.
