Inquest to take place into death of Cambs man whose organs failed after he was exposed to chemicals
The inquest into the death of a 21-year-old man who died after exposure to chemicals at work is planned for next year. George Setchfield died on August 27, 2020, after suffering multiple organ failure, chemical pneumonitis and cutaneous burns while working at Peterborough company Electrostatic Magic Limited.
Mr Setchfield had entered the company's stripping shed, which housed an Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) containing an alloy wheel stripper. He could not be revived after he was found unconscious and slumped over the IBC.
His injuries and death were caused by exposure to dichloromethane, hydrofluoric acid and methanol. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found Electrostatic Magic Limited failed to control exposure to dichloromethane (DCM) and hydrofluoric acid.
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The company was fined £67,000 and ordered to pay £7,231 in costs at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on January 19, 2024, after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 7(1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and Article 67 of the REACH regulation.
George’s Mum, Amanda Foster, told Peterborough Magistrates’ Court: "Trying to find some level of justice for George has taken over my entire life. I have spent hours going into detail, reviewing, rereading and making notes about how George died and how it should have been prevented.
“This is something that I struggle to accept. How has this been able to happen to my son?
"George’s death has affected every aspect of my life. It has left me with a constant feeling of emptiness and devastation.
"It will shadow my future forever and I know that my life will never be as it once was. It has shattered my family’s lives and changed everyone’s life who knew and loved George."
At a pre-inquest on Tuesday (September 17), coroner Keith Morton laid out his intention for the scope of the inquest as: determining the circumstances of Mr Setchfield's death, including working practices and the measures in place to manage risks posed by DCM; the medical cause of death; and, if necessary, the consideration of a prevention of future deaths report. This scope is subject to amendments that may be suggested by people involved in the case.
The inquest is expected to last between two and three days, and be held at some point between January 22 and the end of April next year. Witnesses will include employees at Electrostatic Magic Limited, someone who witnessed efforts to rescue Mr Setchfield and Health and Safety Executive representatives.