Blast probe continues

HEALTH and Safety officials are still investigating the blast at the Sterecycle waste recycling plant in Rotherham.

The plant was closed two months ago after a blast which killed worker Michael Winfrey and left his colleague Peter Davis seriously injured.

Sterecycle has said that it plans to restart waste treatment at the plant, in Sheffield Road, Templeborough, soon.

The company says it has met various requirements put on it after the explosion.

But Rotherham Council, which has been sending 500 tonnes of domestic waste a week to Sheffield to be processed while equipment at Sterecycle is out of action, says it has had “no representations” about the reopening of the plant.

The blast was in one of two autoclave machines and Sterecycle has said it plans to restart operation using the undamaged unit and then bring the other into use after it has been repaired.

But a spokesman for the council said rubbish was being sent to the Sheffield incinerator plant operated by Veolia, who were taking on extra temporary staff to cope.