The Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston is to be prosecuted following a fire in 2010.
One worker was left with burns to his face and arm after the incident at around 9pm on 3 August 2010 in a building which housed explosives on the Berkshire site.
The Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting AWE plc for three breaches of safety law:
- Failing to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all its employees (Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974)
- Failing to take appropriate measures to limit the extent of fire or explosion (S4(1)(b) of the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations)
- Failing to ensure that suitable personal protective equipment was provided to its employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health and safety(S4(1) of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992)
AWE plc is due to appear before Reading magistrates court on 6 August.
In a statement the company said:
“AWE plc deeply regrets the occurrence of the fire at our Aldermaston site on 3 August 2010. Ensuring the safety of our staff, neighbours and local community is AWE’s highest priority.
“Following the fire, we quickly initiated a thorough, independently-led investigation and published the resulting report in June 2011. The specific operation being carried out at the time of the fire was immediately suspended and will not be re-started until a safe alternative process has been agreed with our regulators.”