Company failed to put sufficient measures in place

Powder Bulk Solids Staff

December 5, 2022

1 Min Read
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Image courtesy of Pixabay (representative image)

International Paint Ltd's Gateshead plant has been fined £800,000 after an explosion that left a worker fighting for his life.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company failed to put sufficient measures in place to protect its workers. The company admitted skirting health and safety laws, and responsbility for the blast, which left the 49-year-old worker on life support for eight days. He is now partially blind, is suffered hearing loss, and has scarring all over his body.

The worker was emptying resin pellets from a bulk bag into a vessel when a spark was generated, igniting flammable vapor within the vessel and causing the massive explosionin in August 2020.

The victim returned to work after being out for 16 months.

About the Author(s)

Powder Bulk Solids Staff

Established in 1983, Powder & Bulk Solids (PBS) serves industries that process, handle, and package dry particulate matter, including the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical markets.

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