YouTube has a short video clip of CCTV footage showing the violence of the Rotherham Sterecycle explosion. This film was taken from a security camera in an adjacent building situated across a busy main road.
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April 11
The plant is now resuming operation after review of plant operations, and with the remaining pressure vessel modified to improve safety and prevent recurrence of this explosion
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April 21
Investigations have been completed and the Sterecycle plant at Rotherham has now restarted operation
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To bring this thread fully up to date, it was reported that Stericycle has been fined £500,000 after being found guilty of corporate manslaughter following the death of an employee, Michael Whinfrey, 42, at their Rotherham plant following an explosion in January 2011.
Mr Whinfrey suffered fatal head injuries after the door of an autoclave machine he was operating blew out under pressure. Another man suffered “serious life-changing injuries”.
A joint investigation, conducted by South Yorkshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive, found that the explosion resulted from the failure of a screw connection to the autoclave locking ring, which secured the door to the machine.
South Yorkshire Police said the force of the explosion blew a hole in the factory wall. Det Sgt Rob Platts, who led the investigation, said: “I am pleased with the verdict reached today as it recognises the systemic failings of a company who had a duty of care to its employees.
“The company was aware of a longstanding issue with the autoclave doors and made no effort to repair the problem properly, putting the lives of their employees at risk.”
Kevin Goss, 57, a former maintenance manager at the company, was cleared at Sheffield Crown Court of perverting the course of justice. Charges against two other men under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act were withdrawn during the trial.