Fire extinguisher recycling company fined after employee killed at work

Pearson, aged 37 and a father-of-four from Dudley, was working for Fire Protection Recycling Limited at the Pearsall Drive site when the incident happened on 7 March 2023. Pearson had been processing powder fire extinguishers, which were at the end of their serviceable life. While Pearson was working on a cartridge-type fire extinguisher, there had a sudden release of pressure and the extinguisher exploded, striking him in the head. Post-incident, the fire extinguisher was found embedded in the ceiling of the workroom.

Subsequently, Pearson was treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for his injuries, but despite the best efforts of medical staff, he sadly died on 8 March, leaving behind his fiancée Rachelle, siblings John and Cheryl and his four children.

Investigation process

An investigation process conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Fire Protection Recycling Limited had failed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees while at work and while they were recycling these types of fire extinguishers.

The company had failed to conduct a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and their systems of work for processing these types of fire extinguishers were not suitable. The business did not have proper storage arrangements in place for old extinguishers waiting for processing and there wasn’t a suitable restraint system for containing fire extinguishers when they were being discharged in order to prevent them from ejecting dangerous parts.

The HSE states that employers must provide plant and systems of work which are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health.

Guilty plea

Fire Protection Recycling Limited of Pearsall Drive, Oldbury in the West Midlands pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974. On 14 September at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, the company was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £17,034.25 in costs.

HSE inspector Heather Campbell said: “Our thoughts are with the family of Craig Pearson, a young father of four. He should have returned home safely to his family at the end of his working day, but because of the failings of Fire Protection Recycling Limited, he did not.”

Campbell added: “I hope the sentence handed down leaves companies in no doubt that we will not hesitate to take action against those businesses that fail to protect their employees.”

The HSE prosecution case was brought forward by HSE enforcement lawyer Matthew Reynolds and paralegal officer Lynne Thomas.