Death in gas blast ruled to be accidental

Published: Durham Times, October 2008

A few pounds could have saved the life of a welder killed when leaking gas cylinders in the back of his van exploded, a lawyer representing the man’s widow has claimed.

An employee died almost instantly when acetylene gas leaking into the back of his van ignited as he was driving.   The blast caused widespread destruction in the market place of the town through which he was driving, badly damaging shops and houses and leaving debris spread around the area.

Recording a verdict of accidental death at the employee’s inquest, the coroner, who saw the scene of the accident firsthand, said he thought it was “beyond belief” that only one person died in the blast and called for more detailed advice to be made available to companies transporting dangerous gasses.

The inquest heard from Health and Safety Executive inspector, who revealed that the van driven by the employee had not been fitted with the recommended amount of ventilation by his employer.  The inspector said that had more ventilation been fitted by the employer, much of the gas, which had built up as a result of the leak, would have had chance to escape.

The British Compressed Gases Association suggests that an enclosed van which is carrying gas, such as acetylene, should have the equivalent of two per cent of its floor space as ventilation.  In this case, the van only had ten per cent of the ventilation required for a vehicle of that size.

Since the accident, the employer in question had modified three of the vehicles to meet the standards set by the BCGA.

Speaking on behalf of the employee’s widow, the Solicitor said: “The circumstances of this death were entirely avoidable by provision of adequate ventilation in the company’s vehicle.

“The employee (was exposed) to dangers which, for the sake of a few pounds, could have been avoided.”

The day before he died, he had been working at a quarry in North Yorkshire, where witnesses said he was unusually hurried in his welding work.  It is thought that the employee may have forgotten to switch off two of the valves on his acetylene cylinder.  As his van sat outside his house, gas filled the rear area. Moments after he set off for work shortly before 7am the next day, a spark in the van ignited the gas.

The employers declined to comment.  The company’s managing director appeared at the inquest but declined to answer most of the questions to put to him.   

Rule 22 of the Coroners Rules states that witnesses have the right to decline to answer questions if they believe it may incriminate them in a future court case

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