AN investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following an explosion at Borders Fine Arts, Langholm in 2012 revealed health and safety breaches which have resulted in a £10,500 fine for the parent company Enesco Limited of Carlisle.

The company pled guilty today at Dumfries Sheriff court to a failure to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to its employees where dangerous substances were present.

No one was injured in the explosion, which caused significant damage to property, on 11 July 2012 at Borders Fine Arts, Townfoot, Langholm where the company manufactures hand crafted and hand painted ornaments.

The company had previously been concerned about potential fire and explosion risks and in particular their obligations under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR). The company did address some recommendations in a DSEAR assessment in 2006 however problems with new controls resulted in them re-instating some unsafe electrical equipment in 2009 in an effort to maintain productivity. During HSE investigations into the circumstances of the explosion, the cause of which remains unascertained, the health and safety breach came to light.

Enesco Limited pled guilty to a contravention of Regulation 5 of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.

Gary Aitken, Head of COPFS Health & Safety Division said: “It was simply good fortune that no employees were in the vicinity of the explosion and that no one was injured or killed.

“To become operational again the company has engaged pro-actively with the Health and Safety Executive and a full DSEAR assessment has been undertaken and all necessary manufacturing controls implemented”.