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PHW · Manufacturing and engineering · 2023-11-22

W.S. Barrett & Son Limited fined £10,000 after unresolved failures to control potential exposure to welding fume and coating dust

Boston, Lincolnshire · Lincoln Magistrates' Court

What happened

An HSE inspection found workers potentially exposed to welding fume and powder coating dusts, with local exhaust ventilation systems not thoroughly examined and tested. The company had previously received Improvement Notices for similar failures at an earlier inspection but had not fixed them.

Injuries: No injury reported; the case concerned potential exposure to substances that can cause occupational asthma, skin irritation and are linked to cancer.

The breach

Regulation 9(1) and Regulation 9(2) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

The sentence

  • Fine: £10,000
  • Costs: £3,625
HSE inspector

“...thoroughly examined and tested to ensure that they were working as intended to protect the health of its employees.”

What would have prevented it

LEV systems must be regularly maintained, thoroughly examined and tested, and improvement notices must be acted on, not repeated at the next inspection.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Whoever is free takes the forklift. Could you show who is trained?

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Safety pack

COSHH and hazardous substances

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Quiz

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Source: HSE press release, Company fined as HSE inspection identifies failures