Refuse worker has lucky flare escape

A refuse worker was given quite a shock after a marine flare exploded in his hand and ricocheted around the room he was working in.

As reported in the clip by Dianne Apen-Sadler and Amanda Cashmore for MAILONLINE, to highlight the dangers when throwing out unusual trash items, the man quickly notices the flare coming onto the conveyor belt at the recycling plant in Waterbeach, three miles north of Cambridge.

As he picks up the flare it lights and shoots into his body and the wall before bouncing around the room.

The incident took place at Amey’s Materials Recycling Facility.

Amey’s Chris Smiles told Cambridge News: ‘At Waterbeach we deal with a range of waste for local author forities and businesses, which includes items which have been put out for kerbside recycling.

‘The marine flare came through with aluminium recycling but exploded in the hands of one of our employees when it reached our manual sorting area.

‘Thankfully he was protected by his work clothing and was uninjured, but the consequences could have been much worse.’

Although no one was injured and the plant was evacuated, a second flare on the same belt was discovered.

Now Amey is encouraging people to think more carefully when throwing away items such as flares or batteries, particularly during the festive period.

‘No fire risk item should be placed in your normal or recycling bin – whether that’s a flare, fireworks, shotgun cartridges, gas cylinders or batteries,’ Mr Smiles added.

‘The consequences could have been much worse’: The video was shared to highlight the dangers when throwing out unusual trash items.

Although no one was injured and the plant was evacuated, a second flare on the same belt was discovered.

Now Amey is encouraging people to think more carefully when throwing away items such as flares or batteries, particularly during the festive period.

‘No fire risk item should be placed in your normal or recycling bin – whether that’s a flare, fireworks, shotgun cartridges, gas cylinders or batteries,’ Mr Smiles added.