A FIRM has been fined £10,000 following its conviction over the death of a worker in an explosion.

Brief Breeze, formerly trading as Hedley Engineering Services, of South Shields, pleaded guilty before South Tyneside magistrates to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It was also ordered to pay £1,382 costs.

The court was told Stephen Patterson, 47, of Jarrow, was involved in an accident in June 1999 when a pressure vessel he was testing exploded and a 32kg endcap struck in the head and chest.

He died some 20 days after the incident in North Tyneside Hospital.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE prosecuting inspector Dr David Shallow said: "Guidance is readily available from the HSE for companies involved in pressure testing.

"HSE inspectors are always happy to discuss with companies engaged in this work safe systems of working in accordance with the published guidance."

Any company wanting to do this should contact the HSE at Regent Street in Gosforth.