AN ENGINEERING firm has been fined more than £10,000 after an accident which resulted in an employee losing an eye and part of his left hand.

Mason Engineering, run by father and son team Trevor and Shaun Mason in Swainby, near Northallerton, appeared at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to breaches of health and safety requirements after a transfer of pressurised oxygen from one container to another caused an explosion.

On November 18, 2013, Shaun Mason, who has recently marked his 30th year working at the agricultural and industrial equipment manufacturing firm, prepared to perform a routine task of transferring pressurised oxygen from one cylinder to another for a local farmer.

Geoff Fletcher, for the Health and Safety Executive, told the court that Mr Mason could not find the piece of equipment that was usually used to perform the task, so he manufactured another hydraulic hose.

Employee Duncan Brown assisted Mr Mason in fitting the new hose – but they found it did not work.

Mr Fletcher said: “They closed the valves to look for problems. They found nothing so decided to try again – but at this point it exploded.

“Mr Mason injured his right hand and arm, while Mr Brown suffered serious injuries to the left side of his face, fracturing his eye socket which resulted in the loss of his eye, and seriously damaged his left hand.”

Mr Fletcher told the court the firm had not carried out a risk assessment for the transfer of gas, and said the company had carried out the procedure over a number of years.

Alice Jarratt, on behalf of Mason Engineering, said the company had an excellent reputation built on years of experience.

She told the court: “Duncan Brown and Shaun Mason are extremely experienced in the use of oxygen in their work in welding and the transfer was done on site.

“Mr Mason accepts that the use of hydraulic pipe to make the replacement was not appropriate – he recognises that he made a very serious mistake. He considers it to be his responsibility and has been deeply regretful.”

Ms Jarratt told the court that there were no guidelines on training or on the procedure of the transfer of gases, within Health and Safety Executive and other industry safety documents.

She added: “If there had been, this company would have made sure they had been complied with.

“The affect has been personal but both Shaun and Trevor have maintained a good relationship with Mr Brown, who has praised his employer in his support following the incident.”

A wealth of references praised the skill and professionalism of Mason Engineering, and said their bespoke products were an asset to the region.

Trevor and Shaun Mason were each fined £5,171.15.