Chemical firm prosecuted over multiple incidents
Posted: April 18, 2013
Posted in: Falls from Heights Foot Injuries Workplace Injuries
An international chemical firm has been fined more than £100,000 after workers were put in danger in three separate incidents at its Cheshire factory.
One employee suffered severe burns to his right foot which removed a layer of skin and required 18 months of treatment.
Another worker was injured when the metal grating he was walking on gave way five floors up, and employees were also put at risk when high levels of carbon monoxide were released into the former plant.
The firm was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following an investigation into the incidents, all of which occurred during 2010.
The firm pleaded guilty to four breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by failing to ensure the safety of workers. It was fined a total of £100,750 for all six offences and ordered to pay £71,082 in prosecution costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Gill Chambers said:
“The chemical industry has the potential to be extremely dangerous so it’s vital that firms make health and safety their top priority. Unfortunately, the company fell way below acceptable standards on multiple occasions.”
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