Fuel safety reminder following work death

Alexanders of Twickenham Ltd, a car MOT, service and repair business, was found guilty of failing to ensure the safety of its employees by City of London magistrates last week. The firm was also ordered to pay costs of £16,905.

The case was brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the death of Biagio Malacaria, a mechanic employed by Alexanders.

The magistrates court heard how on 12 December 2005 Mr Malacaria was working on a car's fuel system, which involved draining fuel from the vehicle. During this process, his overalls were set alight and he was engulfed in flames.

The flames were extinguished by two colleagues, one of whom was also injured. Mr Malacaria was taken to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, but died from pneumonia as a result of his injuries slightly less than one month later.

Proper procedures

The HSE said garages needed to ensure they had safe methods in place for working on vehicle fuel systems

HSE inspector Andrew Withers, said: "This is a case where a man died as a result of serious injuries he suffered after working with woefully inadequate equipment, and it is shocking that the employer had not realised the danger created by petrol being moved and stored in open containers near obvious sources of ignition.

"The company failed in its duties in a number of ways including having no risk assessment for fire and explosions, a lack of safety measures for this type of work and failing to ensure that all staff were suitably trained."

He added: "I hope this case encourages other employers who have to control the risks created by petrol to double check their arrangements and ensure they are adequate and sensible."

Charges were brought under Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 which states "it shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as it reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees."

Norwich Union Risk Services has recently updated its two-page guide to 'Working on vehicle fuel tanks' (pdf). The factsheet includes information on draining tanks, handling and storing fuel, plus links to further guidance.