Apprentice welder Dwayne Bell wins six-figure payout over 2021 Wigan steel yard burns

LeftDwayne Bell, now 22, has received a six-figure compensation settlement over a workplace explosion in March 2021 at a steel yard in Wigan, Greater Manchester, when Bell was 17. 1 2 LeftBell suffered third-degree burns, had parts of the nose and ear melted, and spent a week in an induced coma. 1 2 LeftBell was an apprentice at Qualfab Steel Ltd and was burning rubbish in a metal bin when the blast happened. According to Bell, wet wood would not light, so paint thinner was applied without noticing sparks hidden beneath the wood. 1 2

LeftBell says they were the youngest on site by 20 or 30 years, spent one day a week at Knowsley Tech College and the rest at the yard, and had no real training on the dangers or any protective equipment such as safety goggles. Bell also says there was no supervision. 1 2 LeftBell was taken to Whiston Hospital and stayed three weeks, after which Bell's mother became their carer. Bell has had three skin grafts and faces further surgery. 1 2 LeftThe Daily Mirror also quotes Bell as saying they begged nurses to turn the machines off during recovery. 1

LeftExpress Solicitors negotiated the settlement. Senior Associate Neil Sagar said Bell had made a "miraculous recovery" but still lives with the consequences, that the scars will affect their future career, and that businesses must ensure appropriate supervision and training for apprentices, especially with dangerous disposal methods. 2 1 LeftBell is now an apprentice welder at a different company. The Daily Mirror says Qualfab Steel Ltd has been approached for comment; neither report carries a response from the firm, and the settlement amount has not been given. 1 2