A huge explosion which left eight staff injured, 5 seriously, occurred because of a failure to carry out fire risk assessments. Ereco EMA Corporation, a company that recycle printer toner cartridges were found to have failed to ensure there was a safe system of work in place to reduce the risk of dangerous substances. Suitable risk assessments should have been undertaken in line with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.

The company were fined £30,000 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and pleading guilty to an offence under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 of failing to take general fire precautions. In addition they were ordered to pay an additional £30,000 in costs.

The designer of the machine used to shred and process the toner cartridges, Paramount Waste Extraction was also fined £16,000, plus the same amount in costs, for breaching Section 3 (1) of the Healthy and Safety at Work Act 1974.
A full and comprehensive range of fire risk assessments can be undertaken by Freya Fire Solutions – please contact us to discuss your individual needs and our bespoke risk assessment services.

Original article source: https://www.fia.uk.com/news/lack-of-suitable-fire-risk-assessment-left-eight-injured.html