Lantern Engineering fined £22,500 for lack of control of metalworking fluid

Lantern Engineering Ltd was fined £22,500 (inc. costs) after workers were exposed to metal working fluid (MWF). 

The circumstances were:

• MWF is hazardous to health, and exposure can cause health conditions including irritation of the skin/dermatitis, occupational asthma, bronchitis and irritation of the upper respiratory tract.
• In February 2016 the HSE visited Lantern.
• A water mixed MWF was in use in the majority of machines including saws, machine centres and milling machines. 
• None of these machines had local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and some door seals were observed to be in poor condition.  
• The MWF sumps to some machines were in visibly poor condition, with fines, swarf and/or tramp oil being present.
• As a result enforcement was taken requiring the company to provide health surveillance and manage MWF. 
• In September 2016 an employee was diagnosed with occupational asthma. 
• Further enforcement was taken in December 2016 with an Improvement Notice issued to develop a system for managing MWF.

The HSE inspector commented:
“The company’s failure to manage MWF exposed employees to risk. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards”.