Deeside Metal boss admits safety flaws over death of Saltney dad Mark Wright

Feb 25 2010 by Dave Goodban, Chester Chronicle

A SCRAPYARD manager admitted failing to take reasonable care for the safety of other people after a worker died in an explosion.

Robert Roberts, 55, of Golftyn Drive, Connah’s Quay, was general manager at Deeside Metal, Saltney, in April 2005 when dad-of-two Mark Wright, 37, died after aerosols he was crushing exploded.

He suffered 90% burns and inhaled high temperature gases. Aerosols he was crushing ignited, created a fireball and set him alight.

An inquest last year heard the force of the blast had blown the roof off the plant.

Judge John Rogers QC at Mold Crown Court adjourned sentencing in a health and safety case and granted Roberts bail.

Earlier, the judge had thrown out a manslaughter prosecution against Roberts because he said it was ‘an abuse of process’.

The judge also decided there was no evidence on which a reasonable and fair jury, directed properly, could convict him.

Andrew Long, defending, said: “The last five years have been a very significant punishment.”

Last year’s inquest heard Mr Wright, of Wrekin Way, Saltney, had initially refused to crush the aerosols using a small baler as he considered it too dangerous.

The inquest jury failed to return a verdict of unlawful killing.

In it they said: “The staff responsible for waste management at the site of origin had not been trained formally in waste practice, systems or procedures or the vetting and management of contractors used for the transport of waste from the site.”