pounds 30,000 fine for human fireball accident

A Derby smelting company, Bernhard Metals (UK), was fined pounds 30,000 and ordered to pay pounds 20,000 costs yesterday after a furnaceman died in an horrific accident.

Labourer Anthony Jackson, 32, became a human fireball after molten metal set his clothes alight. He died in hospital 12 days later.

Mr Justice Hidden said at Nottingham Crown Court: "The lack of thought by this company towards its employees beggars belief.