Burns man makes plea.

Byline: By Ben Glaze South Wales Echo 

A man who was left fighting for life after suffering 49 per cent burns in a work accident has called for lessons to be learnt from the tragedy.

Leigh Mathias, 32, made the plea as he welcomed the conviction of the Rhondda company involved. 'I hope that lessons will be learned from this...': A worker who suffered 49 per cent burns in an accident at work today said lessons must be learned from the tragedy.

Leigh Mathias, 32, who sustained serious injuries to his hands, legs, arms, face and chest when industrial waste he was cleaning caught fire, welcomed the conviction of the company involved.

His solicitor, Mark Davies, said: 'Mr Mathias would hope lessons will be drawn from this incident.

'He has suffered severe injuries as a result of the incident and he and his family are still suffering and dealing with the consequences.'

Mr Davies said Mr Mathias was still unable to return to work since suffering the 'horrific injuries'.

Mr Mathias and his co-worker Gareth Evans were removing dust from equipment at Allevard Springs Ltd, Clydach Vale, Rhondda, when the incident happened.

Mr Mathias was left fighting for his life and was in a critical condition in hospital for 10 days, and Mr Evans suffered burns to his arms and hands.

Allevard Springs Ltd pleaded guilty on Friday to two offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act, including not carrying out proper risk assessments.

The Health and Safety Executive, which is prosecuting the case, said it was clear there was a risk of the dust catching fire.

Steven Francis, for the firm, told Rhondda Magistrates' Court: 'This was a serious incident and the company regrets very much what happened.'

At the time of the accident in March 2004, the firm employed more than 80 workers.

The case will go to Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court for sentence next month.