Chemical manufacturing firm fined for exposing staff to hazardous materials

Employers who task their staff members to work around hazardous materials should equip the employees with protective workwear.

The message has been delivered soon after a chemical manufacturing company from Daventry, Northamptonshire, was penalised for exposing staff members to a range of hazardous chemicals.

One of the worst cases to come out of the incident was a 46-year-old despatch officer, who has been diagnosed with occupational asthma and rhinitis after handling a variety of toxic substances.

Since being exposed to the chemicals, which had been deemed hazardous to health at Endeavour Speciality Chemicals Ltd, the female employee has been told that she can no longer work with chemicals and had to find another job within the firm.

However, a Health and Safety Executive investigation into the matter found that the company concerned had failed to check the risks when undertaking packing operations involving chemicals.

Endeavour Speciality Chemicals Ltd, of Low March Industrial Estate, Daventry, Northamptonshire, was also penalised for failing to conduct the required control measures to prevent, or at least adequately control employees' exposure.

After admitting to breaching Regulations 6(1), and 7(1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, the firm was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,000 after a hearing at Northampton Magistrates' Court.

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