Tank explosion leaves 2 workers permanently injured, Bio Dynamic fined £300K
An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, has determined that Bio Dynamic (UK) Limited could have prevented the serious injuries of two workers. The incident occurred while the employees were using a grinder to cut and replace pipework at the top of an 11-metre-high metal tank containing waste slurry. According to the HSE, sparks from the grinder ignited flammable gases, which caused the tank to explode, projecting the tank high into the air before it crashed to the ground nine seconds later.
Neither worker was wearing a harness, and both men were flung into the air. Tomasz Patek landed on the ground in the slurry around the tank. He severely injured his back, head, and torso. As a result of his injuries, he was hospitalized for two months and was unable to work for more than two years. Robert Tyrko landed in the basket of the mobile elevating work platform. He had to have his leg amputated and sustained a fractured skull and a piece of metal in his elbow.
An investigation conducted jointly by the HSE and the Environment Agency found that Bio Dynamic, which produces electricity from food waste by anaerobic digestion, failed to ensure the health and safety of its employees and others nearby. Additionally, the company kept and treated waste in a manner likely to cause pollution to the environment. Bio Dynamic ultimately pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, as well as breaching regulation 38(2) of the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016 (EPR), and s.33(1)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA). The company was fined a total of £304,500 and ordered to pay £229,988 in costs.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, HSE inspector Richenda Dixon said: “It’s remarkable that Robert and Tomasz weren’t killed.
“This incident resulted from fundamental and multiple failings by the company to properly manage its health and safety risks.
“These included failing to ensure that the design, installation and use of the tanks were safe; failing to carry out risk assessments; failing to put in place a safe system of work; and failing to train and supervise employees.”
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About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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