S&E LPG Limited, a company based in Honeybourne, Worcestershire appeared in Worcester Magistrates Court on 5th October 2017 after an employee was caught in a gas explosion.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 5 of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/1348), and was accordingly fined £26,600. The Company was also ordered to pay the prosecution costs of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the sum of £3,550.90.

The Court heard that on 8th June 2016 an unsecured liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) container being transported by an S&E employee hit another container and was released at high pressure causing it to ignite. The employee was severely burned by the flames, which spread to several other containers, destroyed a workshop, and could not be fully contained for 24 hours.

The Court also heard that these containers had not been approved for transportation of large quantities of gas, yet they had been used to transport gas a few days earlier from Aylesbury to Worcestershire, meaning that there had been a significant risk of explosion on the public highway.

Should you have any questions about your health and safety obligations, or in the event that you or your business is facing a health & safety regulatory investigation or prosecution, call James Lowe, our Regulatory and Licensing Partner on 07833 240 400 for advice and assistance.