Steel firm hit with £1m fine after man injured in explosion

The company pleaded guilty to the offence which took place on 9 August 2013, and was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on 29 June.

Sheffield Forgemasters Engineering was also ordered to pay costs of more than £58,000.

The court heard the man suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the explosion. He was initially not expected to survive, and was kept in a coma for several weeks and underwent a number of skin grafts, said the Health and Safety Executive in a statement. 

An HSE investigation found the oxygen pipe had been fitted with contaminated second-hand flanges and butterfly valve, containing materials unsuitable for use with the oxygen.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Carol Downes said: “This incident could have been avoided if simple checks had been carried out. Duty holders should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the require standard.”