28 Jan 2013
A chemical manufacturing firm in Greater Manchester has been fined after breaching several fire safety laws, according to a report.
Officers from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority visited Atom Scientific Ltd’s premises on the Arrow Trading Estate in Audenshaw on Wednesday, January 23.
They found large amounts of flammable, hazardous and toxic chemicals being stored on the ground floor, with more explosive chemicals spotted lining the escape route.
Inspectors also discovered faulty fire doors between the warehouse and corridors, while the main fire exit was obstructed and locked from the inside.
Officers claimed this would result in workers facing a life-threatening 40-metre dash through the middle of the premises to escape in the event of a fire.
In addition, the building’s fire alarm on the first floor of the building was defunct and would not provide staff inside the premises with any warning of an incident downstairs.
Atom Scientific Ltd, of Arrow Trading Estate, Audenshaw, Greater Manchester, admitted seven breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It was fined £10,500 and was ordered to pay costs of £3,368.20.
Copyright Press Association 2013