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Company fined 200,000 after their employee died in a explosion on 15th of January 2008.
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An employee of Cemex was killed by an explosion at a cement plant in Rugby on 15 January 2008.
The explosion was of such force that the victim was blown through the side wall of the plant to where his body was discovered on the road 10 metres below.
The dead man had been trying to unblock a mixing machine when a sudden violent explosion caused by the build up of steam and dust from inside the machine propelled him through the wall of the building where he fell to the road below. An inquest determined that the explosion almost certainly would have killed the man instantly despite the 30 foot drop to the road.
The findings of the HSE investigation criticised Cemex for being aware of the potential for blockages to cause explosions but taking no preventative action. The company had also failed to review or update its risk assessment policy since a similar incident occurred in May 2006 when a worker was injured by an explosion.
The HSE inspector commented on the tragedy saying:
"This was an entirely avoidable tragedy. If Cemex had investigated the previous incident properly, Mr Reynolds would still be alive today." He further warned "Employers must make sure that they take proper precautions to protect their workers, especially when there is the potential for explosion."
Judge Faber at Lemington Spa Crown Court declared that the safety procedures put in place by Cemex "fell some way short" of acceptable standards and fined Cemex £200,000 for breaches to health and safety and order them to pay £172,000 costs.
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Contact Information
Katie Brown
SMPR (Simply Marcomms Ltd)
18 Generator Hall
Coventry
CV1 4JL
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