Middleton Hall Accident

MIDDLETON HALL ACCIDENT.

The first enquiry was as to the death of James Beattie Provan, acetylene welder. who was fatally injured in an accident at Middleton Hall workshop. on 28th October last. John Twiggins (41). manager of the engineering workshop at Middleton Hall. occupied by the Scottish Oils, in giving evidence, stated that Proven was employed in the shop repairing steel barrels. Witness said these barrels came from the firm's other works. 28th October last witness learned of the accident to the deceased man Proven. Efforts had been made to trace where the defective steel barrel had come from. The bung was not in the barrel after the accident, but the plug was there. The bottom of the barrel was covered with water. His opinion was that this particular barrel must have been steamed before coming to the Middleton Hall works.

Henry Davie (65) . foreman cooper at Middleton Hall works. stated that barrels which leaked were marked where the leakage actually was. These barrels for repair had to be steamed in order to remove any naphtha spirit vapour which might be lying inside. The bung of the barrel was taken out, and then the barrel was placed over a long steam pipe which lay on the ground. Jets projecting about four inches from this steam were inserted into the bunghole, and the steam pressure turned on. This steaming operation lasted ten minutes thereafter the barrel is sent to Middleton Hall for repair.

Wm. Dick (26) - engineer. residing in Uphall and employed as an engineer at Middleton Hall, said he was working in close proximity to the place where the accident occurred. Witness heard a sound resembling an explosion. On turning round he saw the lid of the barrel upon which the man Provan was working rising in the air. He observed Provan lying on the ground near to the barrel. The man was seriously injured. He died a few minutes later.

Wm. Hugh Mackenzie (36), engineer superintendent of the Scottish Oils at Middleton Hall, said that he heard of this accident on 25th October. It was the practice at the workshop to steam these steel barrels so that any naphtha spirit vapour might he removed before sending them for repairs. Witness had failed to trace where this particular barrel had come from. His opinion was that some naphtha spirit vapour was in the barrel. and it had become ignited by the acetylene burner which Provan was using, the result being an explosion inside the barrel causing the lid of the barrel to be forced up and striking the now deceased man causing the injuries from which he died. Arising out of this experience. and in order to prevent any possible recurrence of this type of accident. these barrels were subjected to a steaming process in order that everything might be all right. The jury returned a formal verdict.

West Lothian Courier - Friday 06 March 1925