A LINWOOD firm has been fined nearly £50,000 for serious safety failings that left a worker permanently disfigured following an explosion. 

Haulage company A&D Logistics was ordered to pay £48,000 last week for failures that resulted in Dean Beggs suffering serious burns to his face, arms and hands in a gas cylinder explosion at the firm’s Pegasus Avenue site.

The 23-year-old was knocked off his feet after a large fireball burst out the metal container which he had been instructed to clear of condensation.

Horrified colleagues watched the transport worker throw himself into a puddle in an attempt to extinguish the flames searing his skin.

He was rushed by ambulance to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he was placed on a ventilator.

Mr Beggs’ clothes had mostly melted on his body as a result of the blast and he also suffered flash-burn injuries, with 15 per cent of his body surface area sustaining burn injuries.

He spent five days in intensive care, then two weeks in the burns unit where he received skin grafts and further treatment.

It is understood that, more than 22 months later, Mr Beggs still receives counselling and suffers nightmares, and also endures flashbacks and panic attacks as a result of the explosion.

Bosses at the Linwood haulage giant, which employs 130 workers and operates 170 trailers, previously pled guilty to charges of failing to ensure the health and safety of their employee, by not having a system to ensure workers using propane gas torches could do so in a safe and suitable manner.

A spokesperson for A&D Logistics said: “We sincerely regret that this accident took place and resulted in serious injuries to Mr Beggs.

“The company accepts responsibility for not ensuring a specific process was in place at the time for the task of drying the container.

“The company takes health and safety very seriously, co-operated fully with the HSE investigation and immediately implemented procedures to ensure that particular work activity was not carried out again.”

Thankful for having survived the accident, last year Mr Beggs reached out to Scottish Ambulance Service staff who helped him.

He had an emotional reunion with three members who helped to save his life after the blast.