Industry Insights

Worker suffers burns after digger sparks demolition fire

Contractor Walden Builders Ltd has received a £42,000 fine after a worker suffered burns on-site.

The operative was burned by a heated sheet of tin after a fire broke out on a demolition site.

Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard how on 18 September 2018, the company was demolishing an outbuilding in Ripon. During the work, an excavator struck a wall containing a 415v cable, causing it to arc and ignite a fire.

Efforts to put out the fire included holding a sheet of tin to shield the surroundings.

The tin heated and dropped onto an individual who was working on the site, causing burn injuries to the scalp, arm and hands.