Employee death results in £20k fine for garage

A worker fatality has resulted in a garage being fined £20,000 and charged costs of £16,905, it has been revealed.

Alexanders of Twickenham, which is situated on Kneller Road in Whitton, was found guilty of breaching health and safety regulations in relation to the incident during a recent hearing at the City of London magistrates' court.

The accident happened in December 2005 when employee Biagio Malacaria was working on a car's fuel system, which involved draining fuel from the tank.

While he was engaged in the activity, his overalls were set alight and he suffered fatal burns.

The flames were put out by two colleagues, one of whom was injured in the process.

"I hope this case encourages other employers who have to control the risks created by petrol to double check their arrangements and ensure they are adequate and sensible," stated health and safety inspector Andrew Withers.

07/07/2008 16:27