Chromalloy UK Ltd, a technology company in Nottingham, was fined £50,000 after a worker suffered from serious burns.

Paul Gothard, 54, was hit by a fireball after the aluminium powder he was loading into an electric power blender exploded.  The fireball set fire to his overalls and he suffered serious burns to his hands, arms and face.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded that the explosion was likely to be caused by a discharge of static electricity, which led to the ignition of the aluminium powder.

Noelle Walker, an Inspector at HSE said: “Mr Gothard suffered serious burns in this incident and he’s been left with some permanent lack of function in his hand. Chromalloy failed to carry out assessments and control risks as required in relation to powdered aluminium, which is an explosive dust.”