Fire Protection Recycling Ltd fined after a fatal explosion in the West Midlands. HSE investigation reveals severe safety failings during discharge.
A West Midlands waste and recycling company, Fire Protection Recycling Ltd, has been fined following a fatal incident in which worker Craig Pearson, a 37-year-old father of four, was killed by an exploding fire extinguisher. An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that the firm had failed to implement necessary safeguards for the safe depressurisation and discharging of fire extinguishers at its site.
The ruling underscores the stringent legal obligations surrounding the handling and disposal of pressurised vessels. Industrial equipment containing stored energy presents severe risks if managed without validated procedures and suitable protective infrastructure. For businesses operating within recycling, demolition, or site clearance sectors, the outcome highlights that regulatory enforcement remains uncompromising when fundamental safety controls are omitted.
For tradespeople and serious DIYers, this incident serves as a critical warning regarding the disposal and handling of used or expired fire safety equipment from jobsites. Spent or decommissioned fire extinguishers must never be treated as standard scrap metal or subjected to informal dismantling. When clearing commercial or residential properties, tradespeople should ensure old units are handled exclusively through certified waste handlers who provide verified transfer notes. Attempting to discharge or alter pressurized cylinders on site to reduce bulk or salvage materials creates extreme safety risks, potentially leading to fatal equipment failure. Equipment should always be sourced and retired through recognized trade merchants and accredited specialists.
Contractors managing site waste should review their risk assessments regarding pressurized containers immediately. Standard protocols require verifying that sub-contractors handling hazardous waste adhere strictly to HSE guidelines and maintain full regulatory compliance for high-pressure equipment processing.
Reported by HSE — original article
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