The owner of a fireworks display company has pleaded guilty to health and safety and fraud charges following an incident where a display mortar exploded in the face of a trainee.
Bristol Crown Court heard that Chris Hignell, 51, was working as a trainee firer during a firework display at a wedding party at the Chewton Place Hotel in Keynsham, Bristol, on 3 May 2008.
Jason Edgecombe, who traded as JWP Fireworks and was managing the display, not only failed to train Mr Hignell in how to light the fireworks safely, but also failed to provide him with goggles, ear defenders, or gloves.
Mr Hignell was lighting a rack of mortars using a portfire, under Edgecombe’s direction, when the category-four firework exploded in the trainee’s face. The explosion set his hair on fire, but according to the prosecuting authority, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Edgecombe continued with the fireworks display rather than offering any assistance. Mr Hignell was taken to hospital where he remained for 13 days. He has been left blind in one eye and required extensive facial reconstructive surgery.
The court was told that Edgecombe had used a forged public-liability insurance document to obtain fireworks from a wholesaler and also to get work as a display operator. The council’s senior environmental health officer, David Carter, explained that the investigation was hampered by a complete lack of cooperation from Edgecombe.
He said: “On 10 July 2008, Edgecombe was convicted in his absence at Bath Magistrates Court under s20(2)(j) of the HSWA 1974 for repeatedly failing to attend for interview regarding the accident.
“On the 20 August 2008, Avon and Somerset Police arrested him on the Council’s behalf and I interviewed him at Bath Police Station. My investigation brought to light the forged insurance certificate and my Trading Standards colleagues were able to conduct a parallel investigation of fraud.”
Edgecombe appeared in court on 29 June and pleaded guilty to breaching s3(1) of the HSWA 1974 and to three counts of fraud contrary to s1 of the Fraud Act 2006. Sentencing will take place in August.
After the hearing, Mr Hignell commented: “Edgecombe has ruined my life. I used to go scuba diving, surfing and skiing, but not any more. I also had to sell my Harley Davidson bike.“
Fire Safety in 2023 eBook
SHP's sister site, IFSEC Insider has released its annual Fire Safety Report for 2023, keeping you up to date with the biggest news and prosecution stories from around the industry.
Chapters include important updates such as the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and an overview of the new British Standard for the digital management of fire safety information.
Plus, explore the growing risks of lithium-ion battery fires and hear from experts in disability evacuation and social housing.
What a piece of pond life. i dont hold out much for the victim in terms of compensation for a ruined life, Edgecombe has probably already transferred his assets to a family member to protect them. Even though he deserves to go to jail, his sentence should be suspended providing he delivers adequate compensation
As a practising H&S professional and a committed Harley rider myslef i feel doubly sorry for Chris for all his losses…. I agree wholeheartedly with Beano and Mike and would add that anyone who show reckless contempt of the law and then deliberately obstructs the authorites deserves to see life from a different perspective i.e. behind bars
Chris – if your reading this don’t give up bro, there’s always a way.
Having been seriously injured in an accident, to me the worest side of this is Hignell not having insurance. The poor victim wont get any compensation. He cant use on win on fee because there isn’t any insurance and Hignell wont have enough money to pay. This would have resulted in compensation between £25-100K plus legal fees of +£25K. Now nothing!!!
I truley know money will not put things back to as they were, but it is the sugur on a bitter pill.
This is really disgusting, Mr Hignell depended on Edgecombe to protect him and train him safely and properly. Operators like Edgecombe give the firework industry a Bad name and I hope he gets a custodial sentance.
The BPA runs recognised operator training courses for companies that do not have their own robust training procedures.
I agree with Beano, throw the book at Edgecombe!
I hope a large settlement is made in MR Hignell’s favour. Nothing can get sigth back in his eye, with our current medical abilities, but at least the money would help him feel more able to enjoy life. There are partially sighted people flying recreational aircraft, so there is a future, once the past is accepted as the past.
Good Luck!
I hope they throw the book at him. It’s bad enough that he put the man in danger through a lack of training, and by not providing PPE. But to carry on with the display and not offer Mr Hignell assistance is truly disgusting.
How on earth can any decent human being justify carrying on with the display. I await the sentencing with interest.
Hi Biffo if only there was.This is Chris’s wife by the way. Some very truthful comments by you all,thank you