Scunthorpe Work Accident : Employees Nearly Engulfed In Flames

Two workers involved in a Scunthorpe work accident narrowly avoided death or serious injury when three metre flames shot up from a leaking gas pipe.

The incident at Tata Steel’s Scunthorpe Steelworks was caused by poorly planned repair work and left one of the repair team with minor facial burns. Scunthorpe Magistrates court was told that the incident could have been much worse with both workers fortunate that they were not totally engulfed by the flames.

The court was told how coke oven gas was detected leaking from an overhead pipe on 25 February 2009. Work to repair the hole using a bung and resin was postponed until the following day; repair plans were then changed after the hole widened to be approximately 75mm in diameter.

An alternative form of repair was suggested involving a fabricated metal plate that would be drilled into place. However just as the repair workers started work the live gas ignited sending flames shooting up from the hole.

Scunthorpe Work Accident: Emergency Services Called To Tackle Blaze

Fire fighters had to be called to help tackle the blaze and prevent the situation from escalating.

Tata Steel UK Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations. The breaches relate to an inadequate and unsuitable risk assessment and the failure of Tata to eliminate the risk arising from the coke oven gas.

The company was ordered to pay £1,696 in costs and received a fine of £30,000. Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector John Moran stated that the incident could have been considerably worse: “This was a serious incident and a very near miss for those involved.

“Thankfully on this occasion a full recovery from the injuries sustained was possible, but it could easily have resulted in a double fatality, and it is a matter of chance that it didn’t.”

Have You Been Involved In A Work Accident?

Your employer has a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for you and all other members of staff. If you have suffered injury as a result of an accident that wasn’t your fault then you may be entitled to make a claim for work accident compensation.

Victoria is a specialist personal injury solicitor who can help you to claim compensation.

We have specialist personal injury solicitors who deal with work accident claims, and can pursue your case on a no win, no fee basis.

For free, no obligation advice call us today on 0800 0193 515 to speak to a specialist member of our personal injury team. Alternatively fill out the claim form on this page and a member of our team will call you back at a time that is suitable for you.