A PRINTING firm has been fined £12,000 after two of its workers were engulfed in a fireball sparked by the use of unsafe chemicals.

Delta Display Ltd, in Blackhorse Road, Walthamstow, pleaded guilty to health and safety violations after management gave the duo a dangerous liquid to clean its printing presses with.

The men were trying to clear a build-up of ink but the type of cleaning fluid was unsuitable for the sensitive machinery.

The resulting chemical reaction triggered a "flamethrower-like" gush, burning both men and causing one of them to jump in terror from the machine.

When the 38-year-old landed he shattered his left ankle and fractured his right heel.

He also suffered burns to his arms and legs.

His colleague, a 31-year-old from Walthamstow, was burnt on his arm.

Staff managed to extinguish the blaze before fire-fighters arrived at the scene of the incident, which happened in May last year.

The 38-year-old, who is from Wimbledon, spent 15 days in hospital and was unable to return to work for four months.

He has had two operations and is currently undergoing physiotherapy.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) watchdog said the firm had failed to follow proper guidelines about what types of cleaning agent were suitable.

HSE Inspector Chris Tilley said: "These two men have suffered serious and painful injuries because Delta Display Ltd did not heed the guidance from the manufacturers of the printing press.

"Their workers had been at risk whenever that solvent was used to clean the printing press. It was entirely foreseeable that a fire might result.

“The risks from flammable substances are well known in industry as are the relevant preventative measures.”

The firm, part of the Delta Group which employs 400 people, was also ordered to pay £5,250 in costs at the hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday May 9).

Mick Holder, of the Waltham Forest Trades Council, said the firm had "got off lightly" and that the case showed the importance of health and safety legislation.

He said: "The government keeps repeating its mantra that health and safety is a burden on business and this case easily illustrates the reality which is quite the opposite.

"A failure by Delta Display Ltd, a significant employer, to manage a predictable and preventable health and safety issue has led to broken bones, scars and burns – a burden borne by the workers, their families, the NHS and our social services and not the company.

"Delta Display Ltd got off lightly. It should have been a senior manager or director charged personally, rather than the company."

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