Company fined £800,000 following death of employee from jet hose explosion

An industrial services company has been convicted of breaching its duties under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 after an employee suffered fatal injuries when a jet hose they were operating exploded. The company was fined £800,000 at City of London Magistrates’ Court.

The employee was an experienced drainage engineer who was preparing to operate a hose. Due to the low temperature on the day, there was a large pressure release during priming activities which caused the hose to explode. The hose struck the employee causing significant injuries that required them to be placed into an induced coma. The employee died from the injuries two and a half weeks later when they were taken off life-support.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified several failings such as lack of a safe system of work, failure to maintain work equipment, failure to monitor use of physical control measures and information, instruction, training and supervision not provided to employees.

Implementing safe systems of work and conducting risk assessments allow for areas of concern to be highlighted and appropriate measures to be taken.