Worker Compensated for Injuries Sustained in Chemical Explosion

A man who was injured in a chemical explosion at his place of work has received a settlement from his employer.

He had been told that the chemical compound he was mixing was completely safe. However, when he returned to his workstation after overseeing another task, the compound exploded. Fortunately he was wearing safety glasses, without which he would have lost his sight, but he suffered painful burns to his forehead and cheeks.

He attended A&E and was initially told that he would need plastic surgery, but the burns healed after eight weeks with the use of steroid cream. However, it took him several months to recover from the effects of ingesting the compound, and he also suffered psychological symptoms. He was off work for a month during his recovery.

He brought a claim against his employer, which admitted breaching its duty of care to him. An out-of-court settlement was agreed.