Risk, Health and Safety Information

Print firm fined after flash fire injures two workers

A printing company based in Waltham Forest has been fined for safety failings after two workers were burned in a flash fire when vapours from a flammable cleaning fluid ignited in a print room.

The two printers, employed by Delta Display Ltd in Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, suffered burns and one suffered serious breaks to both legs as he tried to escape the fire. One of them described the explosion and fire as a ‘flamethrower’ coming from the top of the printing press.

An investigation into the incident on 20 May 2011 was carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which brought the prosecution. HSE found the company had ignored guidance given by the press manufacturers that there was a danger of fire and explosion if any cleaning agent with a flash point below 55 degrees centigrade was used.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard (9 May) that the two men had been using the solvent provided to hand-clean the ‘blankets’ of a printing press, a regular task to clear the build-up of ink. The solvent, called QE3, had a flash point of minus 20 degrees centigrade.

They had completed part of the process when one of them saw a flash in front of his eyes and the fire started. He jumped from the press over a safety rail to escape, shattering his left ankle, fracturing his right heel and sustaining burns on his right calf and left arm. Fellow workers were able to extinguish the fire.

This employee was in hospital for 15 days and initially off work for four months.  He had two operations and is currently undergoing physiotherapy after the second. The other employee received burns to his arms but was back at work soon after the incident.

After the court hearing, HSE Inspector Chris Tilley said:

"These two men have suffered serious and painful injuries because Delta Display Ltd did not heed the guidance from the manufacturers of the printing press. Their workers had been at risk whenever that solvent was used to clean the printing press. It was entirely foreseeable that a fire might result.

“The risks from flammable substances are well known in industry as are the relevant preventative measures. In this case, if the company had completed a sufficient risk assessment they would have identified that using QE3 solvent as a cleaning agent with this type of press was dangerous and could have substituted it for a safer cleaning material.

“The company introduced a safer alternative days after the incident but made little effort beforehand to consider the risks and put a system of work in place that would better protect their workers.”

Delta Display Ltd of Walthamstow, E17, pleaded guilty to a breach of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 and was fined £12,000 with £5,250 costs. The company, part of the Delta Group, employs some 400 people and specialises in producing promotional marketing materials.