Death due to an industrial explosion

In Great Britain, in 2010/11, 171 workers were killed at work. That figure is 17% lower than the average for the past five years (see www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm ).

Those bereaved as a result of unsafe or unhealthy workplaces often feel angry and frustrated. Some feel that employers should have prevented these incidents and that they have not had justice. Some of those bereaved in this way belong to Families Against Corporate Killers (FACK), a national network which campaigns to stop workers and others being killed in preventable incidents and which guides bereaved families to sources of legal help and emotional support (see www.hazardscampaign.org.uk/fack/ ).

In 2005 Dorothy’s son, Mark, was killed in an industrial incident. He was working in a waste and recycling plant. On the day he died he had been asked to load and bale 4,000 gas filled aerosols. The machine was not designed for this purpose. At first Dorothy was ‘consumed with rage’. Now she keeps her anger under control (also see Dorothy’s account in ‘Changing emotions and physical reactions’). Dorothy appreciated the kindness of the intensive care unit doctor but felt that the family liaison officer was very insensitive at this time.

Dorothy described what happened when her son, Mark, was fatally injured in a huge explosion in a recycling plant. The family went to the hospital to say good-bye.

Michael’s son, Lewis, was injured in an explosion at the garage where he worked. He died three days later. Michael felt numb with grief.

After an explosion at the garage Michael and his wife went to the hospital to see Lewis, who was badly burnt and needed surgery. After three days the life support machine was turned off.

Last reviewed October 2011.

Last updated October 2011.

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