Two fitters suffered facial burns and head injuries when a gas canister burst into flames at a glass container making factory.

Flammable aerosols had been stored around the mould shop, where the men were welding at work benches.

An investigation by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors revealed that Encirc Ltd had failed to carry out a risk assessment. In addition, employees were not given suitable guidance about the safe handling and storage of flammable materials in the area they were working in.

The incident took place at Ash Road, Elton, Chester, one of the company’s two main sites, in May 2014.

Encirc Ltd, of Gortahurk Road, Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, admitted a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Liverpool Magistrates’ Court fined the company £18,000, plus HSE prosecution costs of £772.90.

“This case highlights the fact that a failure to properly assess the risks within a workplace and take effective remedial action can lead to poor practices developing and employees being injured,” said HSE Inspector Jane Carroll.

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