Brewing giant Carlsberg has admitted that it breached health and safety laws which resulted in the death of brewery plant worker David Chandler who was attempting to repair a compressor.

The 45-year-old, married father of two, died almost instantly after a valve in the compressor broke, leading to an explosion of ammonia gas which killed Chandler almost instantly.

In total, 22 people – including nine fire-fighters and two police officers – were taken to the hospital for treatment. The plant uses ammonia to chill products used in brewing beer.

According to witnesses, Chandler and another plant worker had been trying to move the compressor using an overhead hoist when the valve gave way, releasing the poisonous gas.

At Birmingham Magistrates Court, Carlsberg pleaded guilty to two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and one under the Management of Health and Safety At Work Regulations 1999.

The company will be sentenced at a later date.