Hazmat incident leaves man unable to work

A paint sprayer has been left unable to work after coming into contact with a hazardous substance.

A paint sprayer has been left unable to work after coming into contact with hazardous materials (hazmat) in the line of duty.

The un-named 36-year-old was working at Prior Scientific Instruments in Fulbourn, Cambridge, when he suffered a reaction to the chemicals used.

He was left with breathing difficulties, eye irritation, headaches and was unable to concentrate, meaning he was not fit to continue working in his profession.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident and discovered that the company had not provided the correct hazmat clothing to protect its workers or installed an adequate device to remove hazardous fumes from the workplace.

It is important for employer's to provide the correct protection for their workers.  Frontline Safety provides a range of protective clothing, breathing protection (including the Painter Set from Drager Safety) and personal protective equipment which could help save lives and prevent accidents.  Visit the Frontline Safety website for more information on these product ranges.

Cambridge Magistrates' Court heard how the man's job description involved preparing and painting small components for scientific instruments.

This included working with substances such as the de-greaser trichloroethylene - often used to clean metal before painting.

KW Consultants owner Keith Whiting had been employed by the firm as a health and safety consultant, but failed to provide suitable advice to protect the wellbeing of workers.

As a result, Prior Scientific Instruments was fined £9,000 and told to pay costs of £2,852, while Mr Whiting was fined £1,500 and billed for £1,000 in costs after both parties pled guilty to breaching the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

HSE inspector Robert Meardon explained that the company was at fault for failing to employ the right person to furnish it with health and safety advice.

"Mr. Whiting's background was in quality control and he did not have adequate knowledge of health and safety for the work going on in this company," he explained.

"He failed to make them aware of the 'do's and don'ts', regarding the use of hazardous chemicals."

The news comes in the same week that an unregistered Morden gas fitter was fined for installing a faulty boiler at a home in tooting - proving that taking risks with potentially deadly fumes does not pay off.

Written by Chris Malone