A company specialising in generating electricity from food waste through anaerobic digestion has been fined more than £300,000 after an explosion left two employees with severe, life-altering injuries.
The blast occurred while the workers were on top of an 11-meter-high metal tank containing waste slurry. The explosion propelled the tank into the air before it crashed back to the ground nine seconds later.
The Incident
On 20th September, 2017, employees Tomasz Patek and Robert Tyrko of Bio Dynamic (UK) Limited were using a grinder to cut and replace pipework on the tank. The sparks ignited flammable gases inside, causing a devastating explosion. Neither worker was wearing a safety harness.
CCTV footage captured the moment of the explosion, which has since been released.
Impact on the Workers
Tomasz Patek was thrown from the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP), landing in the slurry below. He suffered severe injuries to his back, head, and torso, requiring a two-month hospital stay. The incident left Tomasz unable to work for over two years and struggling with post-traumatic amnesia.
Reflecting on the emotional toll, Tomasz said:
“After the accident, I was unable to recover emotionally. I couldn’t cope with the pain or accept that the accident had happened to me.”
Robert Tyrko was thrown back into the MEWP’s basket. He sustained a fractured skull, and his leg was later amputated. He remains wheelchair-bound as he awaits a prosthesis. The explosion also left him with a metal fragment lodged in his elbow, continuing to affect his daily life.
In his statement, Robert described the ongoing impact:
“This whole situation has devastated my relationship. My wife, Magda, now carries all the responsibilities I once shared. I also struggle with anger and nightmares about the accident.”
Investigations and Findings
A joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency revealed multiple failings in the company’s safety and environmental management. These included:
- Failure to ensure safe design, installation, and use of tanks.
- Inadequate risk assessments and lack of a safe system of work.
- Insufficient training and supervision for employees.
Additionally, the company violated environmental regulations by:
- Operating with unauthorised gaseous emission points.
- Making unassessed modifications to its processes.
- Failing to comply with its environmental permit.
These oversights created the perfect conditions for the explosion.
Court Proceedings and Penalties
On November 22, 2024, at Nottingham Crown Court, Bio Dynamic (UK) Limited pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act and Environmental Protection regulations.
The company was fined £304,500 and ordered to pay £229,988 in costs.
Official Statements
HSE Inspector Richenda Dixon commented:
“It’s remarkable that Robert and Tomasz weren’t killed. This incident resulted from fundamental failings in the company’s safety management.”
Senior Environmental Crime Officer Iain Regan added:
“The company’s attitude toward environmental compliance was superficial. Their failure to implement proper procedures and risk assessments had catastrophic consequences, leaving two employees with life-changing injuries. Incidents like this highlight why strict adherence to environmental permits is essential.”
Seven years after the explosion, Tomasz and Robert continue to face significant physical and emotional challenges, underscoring the devastating consequences of neglecting workplace safety and environmental responsibilities.
