There may be more to this story than first meets the eye, and one must be mindful and respectful of the fact that an individual has tragically lost his life.

The report also provides no detail as to the type of lance, nor of the method that was being employed. However it must surely be acknowledged that any process for cutting up used oil cans which relies upon intense localised heat must be considered inherently dangerous, and would appear to carry with it a certain risk of explosion. It seems a far cry from the notion of safe reuse, cleaning and maintenance to which the HSE in it’s no doubt carefully-prepared valedictory statement refers.

Contrast the loss of life in this instance with the multiple deaths each year that are directly attributable to government inaction over air pollution.

You could be forgiven for concluding that this was a state-sponsored show trial of a particularly soft target. Elsewhere in the world such activity would be deplored, yet here it seems it’s what we pay our taxes for.

Not sure this is true
If it is, the loss of life is sad
The responsibility lies with the man cutting the drums, these accidents happen every year. The garage should have appealed it , unless the man cutting the drums was deemed to be an employee .
Before cutting any tanks, flush clean, vent, fill with water

I had a similar instance 40 years ago with an employee cutting open Genclean drums with a gas torch. THe stuff produced Phosgene gas when heated. The elderly employee was reluctant to stop and fill the drums with inert gas first. I had to threaten him with instant dismisal to stop and obey. He consistendly ignored safety instructions until he died of Cancer which I believe was due to his ignoring any health and safety instructions.