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AWE admits safety breach over 2010 Aldermaston fire | AWE admits safety breach over 2010 Aldermaston fire |
(34 minutes later) | |
The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) has pleaded guilty to a health and safety breach over a fire at its Berkshire site in August 2010. | The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) has pleaded guilty to a health and safety breach over a fire at its Berkshire site in August 2010. |
Ashley Emery, 29, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, burnt his left arm and face at the company's Aldermaston base. | Ashley Emery, 29, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, burnt his left arm and face at the company's Aldermaston base. |
The company will be sentenced at Reading Crown Court later for the fire in a building which housed explosives. | The company will be sentenced at Reading Crown Court later for the fire in a building which housed explosives. |
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought a single prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. | The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought a single prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. |
Warheads for Trident, the UK's submarine-launched ballistic missile, are built and maintained at the AWE site. | Warheads for Trident, the UK's submarine-launched ballistic missile, are built and maintained at the AWE site. |
'Fireball erupted' | 'Fireball erupted' |
Mr Emery's burns were caused by a fireball erupting in his face from a "bubbling" mixture he was preparing in the manufacture of explosives. | Mr Emery's burns were caused by a fireball erupting in his face from a "bubbling" mixture he was preparing in the manufacture of explosives. |
AWE accepted Mr Emery had been working for more than 12 hours when the fire broke out. | AWE accepted Mr Emery had been working for more than 12 hours when the fire broke out. |
The HSE criticised AWE for a lack of proper awareness of dangerous materials. | |
It accepted a failure to recognise the risks of materials involved in manufacture of explosives and a failure to reflect that in its processes. | |
Protective clothing provided to employees was also deemed unsuitable by the HSE and was heard to carry a label saying "keep away from flames". | |
An AWE investigation found electrostatic discharge to be the most likely cause of the fire. | An AWE investigation found electrostatic discharge to be the most likely cause of the fire. |
The court heard no radioactive material was involved in the fire, which was under control within five hours, having started at 21:00 BST on 3 August 2010. | The court heard no radioactive material was involved in the fire, which was under control within five hours, having started at 21:00 BST on 3 August 2010. |
It was dealt with by AWE's on-site services and firefighters from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. | It was dealt with by AWE's on-site services and firefighters from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. |
The prosecution said AWE's firefighters were not aware of the presence of explosives when they arrived at the blaze. They withdrew when they were informed. | The prosecution said AWE's firefighters were not aware of the presence of explosives when they arrived at the blaze. They withdrew when they were informed. |
The homes of 14 local residents were evacuated, with people spending the night in hotels in Aldermaston and Basingstoke. | The homes of 14 local residents were evacuated, with people spending the night in hotels in Aldermaston and Basingstoke. |
An investigation by the HSE found issues with the control systems that were in place. | An investigation by the HSE found issues with the control systems that were in place. |