A company has been fined £10,500 after an explosion occurred at Borders Fine Arts in Langhholm.

The incident occurred in July 2012.

Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it was revealed that health and safety breaches were in place. At Dumfries Sheriff Court, Enesco Limited of Carlisle pleaded guilty to a failure to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to its employees where dangerous substances were present.

No one was injured in the explosion, but significant damage was caused to the property at Borders Fine Arts, Townfoot, Langholm, where the company manufactures hand crafted and hand painted ornaments.

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It is understood the firm had previously voiced concern about potential fire and explosion risks, in particular their obligations under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR). The company did address some recommendations in a DSEAR assessment in 2006, but problems with new controls resulted in them re-instating some unsafe electrical equipment three years later in an effort to maintain productivity.

During HSE investigations into the circumstances of the explosion, of which the cause remains unidentified, the health and safety breach was discovered.

Enesco Limited pleaded guilty to a contravention of Regulation 5 of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. It was fined £10,500.

(JP/CD)