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PHW · Manufacturing · 2023-11-22

W.S. Barrett & Son Limited fined £10,000 after unresolved 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 ongoing 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

“The company could have ensured its Local Exhaust Ventilation systems were thoroughly examined and tested to protect employees' health.”

What would have prevented it

LEV systems must be examined and tested on the required schedule, and improvement notices must be acted on, not repeated at the next inspection.

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