Dad ‘looked like monster’ after suffering horrific chemical burns at pie factory

A pie factory worker said he was left ‘looking like a monster’ after suffering horrific chemical burns.

Chris McCormack was doused in approximately 400 litres of cascading chemical fluid in a shocking accident at Dicksons factory in South Shields.

The young dad was left in horrific pain with wounds covering his face, back and legs and has been warned he faces  scarring.

The 24-year-old was not just left in physical anguish but suffered also with the mental trauma of the harrowing accident.

Now he has bravely stepped forward to share his story and the battle he had with his wellbeing, reports Chronicle Live .

Chris, from Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, said: "Looking back now, it’s quite hard to remember what happened.

"I just went into shock, it all happened so fast. I went to open the big pressure cooker as it said it was ready.

"I opened it and I knew something was wrong and I took a few steps back. It’s just as well I did.

"I looked down at my arm and my skin looked like the wax coming off a candle."

Chris was covered in searing fluid consisting of water and a chemical mixture that was being used to clean the pressure cooker.

The accident in December 2017 left him with 20% burns to his face, back and legs.

Medics applied artificial skin over the wounds, and Chris spent the next fortnight on morphine to ease his agony.

He said: “I could not move properly. I was all over the place, I didn’t know what to do.

"When I was in hospital, I could not really think. I was on morphine and sleeping for most of it.

"I did keep thinking why did this happen to me?"

Chris was allowed back home for Christmas Day, but returned to hospital on Boxing Day to continue his treatment.

He added: "A couple of days later, they started peeling the artificial skin off one by one which was probably the worst part.

"I went back for regular bandage changes, it smelt horrible like my skin was cooking."

Once discharged from the RVI to continue his recovery at home, Chris struggled to cope with the isolation and suffered with depression.

The team leader was advised to take up counselling sessions, an offer he was initially resistant to.

Chris said: "When I got out of hospital, I didn’t do anything for about three months. I was just so depressed and my face was still burned.

"I felt like I looked like a monster. Once I started healing, I started to ease myself into going out more.

"I was offered counselling and I didn’t want to do it at first. It really worked, I’d definitely advise anyone going through a bad patch to do the same."

Chris also benefited from the support of  Dan’s Fund for Burns UK  after the charity donated him cash to help his young family with transport costs and Christmas presents.

Dicksons have since agreed an out-of-court settlement with Chris, who now works at a cash and carry.

The 24-year-old felt "forgotten" by the company after the accident, and claims the firm prioritised profit over his wellbeing.

Chris finished: "I feel as soon as it happened I was forgotten about, the company cared more about making money than me.

“If you have a job, don’t be stupid and wear your PPE. If I was not wearing mine, it could have been much worse.

"If you don’t know how to do a job, say no until you have been trained."

Chris Hayman, managing director of MI Dickson, said: “Mr McCormack was employed by MI Dickson from June 2016 to May 2018 and was involved in an accident in our South Shields factory in December 2017.

"Following the accident, MI Dickson was subject to a full investigation by the Health and Safety Executive of our South Shields production facility over an eight month period.

“MI Dickson was not prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive and in July 2018 was issued with a notice of contravention highlighting improvements to be made to the factory environment and our internal systems, which we are implementing.

“We are sympathetic to the injuries experienced by Mr McCormack and every effort was taken to provide support in the period following the accident.

"Mr McCormack was contacted by the business on several occasions both in hospital and at home to offer physical, psychological and financial support.

“Mr McCormack made the decision to terminate his employment and resigned from his role at MI Dickson. Subsequently, a financial settlement was offered to Mr McCormack, which has now been accepted.

“MI Dickson cooperated fully with both the health and safety executive and Mr McCormack, both during the investigation into the accident and its subsequent conclusion and we remain wholly committed to the safety of our customers and employees going forward.”

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