Expert Calls For Answers After Blast

A full investigation must be carried out into a factory explosion in West Yorkshire which left six people injured, workplace injury specialists at Irwin Mitchell have demanded.

Reports have revealed that an oil storage tanker which was being decommissioned at the Fox’s Biscuits plant in Batley exploded this morning (February 22nd).

One man was taken to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield for treatment on burns after he was rescued by firefighters at the scene of the blast, while five others were taken to Dewsbury District Hospital after breathing in smoke.

It is believed that firefighters are now working to make the scene safe and a team from the Health and Safety Executive is now set to investigate the incident.

Irwin Mitchell’s workplace injury team acts for those who have suffered serious injuries in major industrial accidents across the UK.

David Urpeth, national head of workplace injury at Irwin Mitchell  represented 75 workers injured in the 2001 explosion at the Killingholme refinery, which occurred when liquid petroleum gas caught fire. Conoco-Phillips was fined £1m for breaching health and safety regulations in the blast.

David said: “Only a handful of details are so far known about the circumstances of this incident in Batley and it is absolutely vital that the police, the HSE and other authorities work to quickly determine how this came to occur.

“Industrial accidents can have a huge impact on both workers and their families, and it goes without saying that those affected by this incident will be seeking important answers and reassurances over what happened.

“Only a full and proper investigation can provide such information and any conclusions from such an inquiry could become significant steps towards preventing similar incidents like these from occurring in the future.

“Health and safety must always be a priority at work and an examination of the steps taken in this case may lead to major improvements.”

If you or a loved one has suffered due to an accident at work, our personal injury solicitors could help you make a No Win No Fee compensation claim. Visit our Workplace Accident Claims page for more information.