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Reacting to a recent accident in which an employee was badly burnt, the HSE investing inspector Pam Folsom said that there is no excuse that the company can possibly give for the accident that took place at their premises. The accident resulted in severe burns being sustained by the employee who was unfortunate enough to be working below a vehicle when a fire started because of poor state of the equipment being used.

Folsom added that other employers are being warned to ensure that the risks involved in the use of faulty or old equipment are addressed. The warning comes after reports that the accident occurred due to leakage of highly inflammable gas, acetylene, from a hose, which had been lying unmaintained for 28 years.

The HSE subsequently dragged the company to Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, which fined the company £2,000 and ordered it to pay costs of £1,500 after the company pleaded guilty for violating the health and safety laws. HSE made use of Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 to prosecute the company, A1 Rewinds Ltd.

Folsom revealed that the hose of the equipment had been shortened, and it was now releasing clouds of flammable gases. The equipment was in a terrible state and the result of such negligence could easily have been fatal.

She said that it is imperative that employers make sure the equipment being used by workers is well maintained and safe to use. Carelessness on part of the employers can have disastrous consequences for the workers, she added.

To avoid the repercussions of a visit from HSE officials companies should bring themselves and their employees fully up-to-date with the latest H&S regulations. The nebosh national general certificate is a highly reputable course run by Workplace Law Training and is a good first step to improving your companies H&S culture.