Worker suffered serious burns after clothing caught fire

A foundry based in Batley has been fined after a worker suffered serious burns when his clothing caught fire.

Bradford Crown Court heard how an employee of Batley Foundry Limited was undertaking work involving the use of isopropanol and a paint-like solution. The bucket containing the solution caught fire which then set light to his clothes, causing serious burns.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on August 5 2014 found that the company failed to provide adequate training, work equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE).

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Batley Foundry Limited, on Warwick Road, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector John Boyle said: “A worker was left with serious injuries as a result of this incident. Had the company taken a number of simple measures prior to the work activity taking place – such as the provision of suitable work equipment, training and personal protective equipment – then it may well have been avoided.”