HEALTH and safety bosses have told East Lancashire industries to prevent accidents in the workplace after they prosecuted a firm following an explosion.

The warning, from the Health and Safety Executive, comes after it successfully prosecuted Nelson-based Clarkson Textiles Ltd, for failing to protect a worker in an explosion at the company.

The company, in Lindred Road, on the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, in connection with the incident in January 2002.

Employee Pablo Magee suffered serious burns to his arms and neck in the incident when an explosion and fireball ripped through the premises. He has not being able to return to work since.

The accident was caused by excess flock dust remaining in a stenter oven after a partial clean of the oven. It was subsequently drawn over the oven's pilot light causing the explosion and fireball.

Clarkson were fined £9,000 and with £11,100 costs at the hearing by Reedley Magistrates.

HSE Inspector Liz Evans said the company had a poor track record for housekeeping and had failed to keep work surfaces, including walls and oven sufficiently clean. In 1999 they were served an improvement notice by the HSE.

She said: "As a result of poor housekeeping an avoidable incident has occurred.

"There are lessons to be learnt here by all those who work with dusty materials.

"We would remind employers of their responsibility to ensure the safety of all employees and non employees in the workplace under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974."

Since the incident the company have revamped their cleaning schedules and have worked with suppliers to produce non-flammable stock.