Bio Dynamic Penalized £300,000 After Explosion Severely Injures Two Workers
An electricity production company utilizing anaerobic digestion to convert food waste into energy has been fined over £300,000 following an explosion that left two employees with severe, life-altering injuries. The incident occurred on September 20, 2017, when employees of Bio Dynamic were working on pipe replacement at the top of an 11-meter-high metal tank filled with waste slurry. Sparks from their grinder ignited flammable gases, causing the tank to explode.
The explosion launched the tank into the air before it crashed to the ground nine seconds later. The workers, who were not equipped with harnesses, suffered catastrophic injuries. Tomasz Patek was thrown from the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) into the slurry around the tank, sustaining serious injuries to his head, back, and torso. His recovery included two months of hospitalization and more than two years of being unable to work. Tomasz now suffers from amnesia and significant emotional trauma, describing the psychological toll as overwhelming.
His colleague, Robert Tyrko, was ejected into the air and landed back in the MEWP basket. The accident resulted in the amputation of his leg, and ongoing medical treatments have delayed the fitting of a prosthesis. Additionally, Robert suffered a skull fracture and a metal fragment lodged in his elbow continues to impair his daily life.
A joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency revealed serious failings in Bio Dynamic’s safety and environmental management practices. The company’s lack of adherence to safety protocols, including inadequate risk assessments, improper tank design, and insufficient employee training, directly contributed to the explosion. Additionally, the company’s handling of waste posed environmental risks, violating their environmental permit and contributing to the dangerous conditions.
On November 22, 2024, Bio Dynamic admitted to breaching sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, along with other regulations, during a hearing at Nottingham Crown Court. The company received a fine of £304,500 and was ordered to pay £229,988 in costs.
The explosion has left the affected employees with devastating physical and psychological injuries, underscoring the severe consequences of neglecting workplace and environmental safety.
Video source: HSE. All rights reserved.