A Stockport shot blasting company has been fined after a worker was scarred for life when his legs were set on fire.

Rust Proofing Company (Manchester) Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident on the Vauxhall Industrial Estate, Greg Street, Reddish. The company was fined £1,003 and ordered to pay £2,997 towards the cost of the prosecution at Trafford Magistrates' Court on 9 February 2010.

The worker received severe burns to his legs on 1 April 2008 when a can of paint thinner, which he was pouring onto a fire to get it going, ignited causing an explosion.

The court heard that Rust Proofing Company (Manchester) Ltd regularly allowed employees to light fires around cast-iron radiators to speed up the process of removing powder coatings.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by failing to ensure the safety of its employees

Source: HSE