A Gateshead chemicals company has described its 'deep regret' after after a worker suffered life-changing injuries in an explosion at their factory.
In August 2020, an employee of International Paint Limited (IPL) spent eight days in intensive care on life support and has was left with all-over body scarring, partial blindness to one eye, hearing damage, and damage to a knee and shoulder.
The employee, who was 49 at the time and from South Shields, was making paint in a large mixing vessel, which involved the use of flammable liquids. In total, the man was off work for 16 months as a result of the incident.
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The explosion happened as he was emptying resin pellets from a large bulk bag into the vessel an electrostatic spark was generated, igniting flammable vapour within the vessel, causing a large blast.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) subsequently identified that the company failed to put sufficient measures in place to control the risk.
International Paint Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £800,000 with £14,032 costs at Newcastle upon Tyne Magistrates’ Court on November 30, 2022.
Now, a spokesperson for International Paint Limited has described their 'deep regret' at the injury suffered by their employee.
They say the man has now returned to work and that they have been supporting their colleague through their 'onsite occupational health provision'.
A spokesman said: "International Paint Limited this week entered a guilty plea in relation to a workplace accident which took place on August 4 2020 at our manufacturing site in Felling, Gateshead.
"Our first thoughts are with our colleague affected and we deeply regret the injury caused by this incident. Since the incident, we have been supporting our colleague through our onsite occupational health provision and despite the injuries he has suffered, we are pleased to say that he has now returned to work."
International Paint Limited also admitted that their safety systems had been 'inadequate to prevent [the] incident' and that they accept responsibility.
They say they have now updated their health and safety processes, procedures and invested 'significantly' in new equipment.
A spokesman added: "The health and safety of everyone at work is our absolute priority and we appreciate the impact this incident will have had on all our colleagues across the site.
"Although we had extensive safety systems in place to address the risks arising from our manufacturing process, they were inadequate to prevent this incident, and for that we are extremely sorry.
"We immediately recognised our responsibility and we pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
"We take this matter extremely seriously - it is the first health and safety prosecution in the history of the company, dating back to our formation in 1899.
"Since the incident, we have worked with the Health and Safety Executive and our own health and safety leadership team to conduct a full review of what, and how it happened.
"We updated our health and safety processes, procedures and invested significantly in new equipment. The company accepts the fine, which will be paid to the Treasury within three months."
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