The fabrication division of Nasmyth Technologies Limited was fined £22,551(inc.costs) after four employees were exposed to hazardous substances that caused significant ill health and time off work as a result.
The circumstances were:
- This involved a chemical which included Hydroflouric Acid.
NOTE Hydrofluoric acid is far more dangerous than hydrochloric acid which just gives burns. HF is capable of causing death by skin contact. See http://bit.ly/2Q1myEc .
- Nasmyth Technologies failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment
- They had not prepared for an emergency situation.
- Available respiratory protective equipment (RPE) did not have the correct type of filter for protecting against hydrofluoric acid gas.
- No face fit tests had been undertaken to ensure the masks fitted workers’ faces.
- Furthermore, workers were unshaven meaning their beards or stubble prevented an effective seal of the RPE to their faces
- On 9th October, there was spillage of up to 200L of this chemical.
- Four workers were involved in the clean-up that took several hours.
- They were provided with inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) including respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
- They had no training on clearing up this kid of spill.
- Some of them suffered ill health following the incident, which included an asthma attack, a severe headache, nausea, sore eyes and throat.
- One of the workers, whose symptoms persisted, was referred by his doctor to a specialist for treatment.
The HSE inspector said:
“This incident could have so easily been avoided had the company firstly undertaken a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and then implemented the necessary controls, including emergency arrangements for dealing with a chemical spill and the provision of instruction and supervision to ensure safe working practices are followed. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
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