NHS trust fined after worker’s burns

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been in court after one of its employees suffered burns whilst stripping down a steam boiler.

What happened?

A maintenance worker at Kettering General Hospital had been stripping down a steam boiler for periodic examination. He was removing the crown valve from one of the steam boilers, however the system only had one point of isolation, rather than two, and this single point did not prevent steam leaking back into the section of the system he was working on. Because of this, he received serious steam burn injuries to the lower half of his body.

An investigation into the incident found that Kettering General Hospital had no system for assessing and controlling the risks that their employees may be exposed to. The Trust did not know what training their maintenance employees had received and they were not under suitable supervision whilst working there.

What was the outcome?

The NHS Foundation Trust pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and was fined £7,000 with full costs of £1,926 and a victim surcharge of £15.

If you have been affected by an accident at work, and you would like expert advice, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6888 or email

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