Corus fined for chimney explosionA steel company which failed to remove flammable gas from a chimney before it carried out "hot repairs", causing an explosion which almost seriously injured nearby workers, has been fined £10,000.
Corus UK Ltd, which also did not properly assess the site for risk before it did the work, admitted two offences under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.
The blast occurred in a 75-metre steel chimney at Dawes Lane Coke Ovens in Scunthorpe in October 2007. Magistrates were told that the chimney, called a flarestack, needed welding work done on it but it was not isolated from the live gas feed when the welding took place. The gas ignited and apparently almost blew the chimney in half.
Corus was told it also must pay £6,155 in costs.
Health and safety inspector Helen Berry said: "There were clear breaches relating to safe working and risk assessment, and it's disappointing that a major employer like Corus failed in this regard and endangered the lives of workers."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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