Floor Layer exposed to toxic substance
A supplier and a flooring company have both been sentenced following the death of a floor layer in London due to the adhesive used to fix the flooring containing a large amount of toxic substance. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the supplier had not implemented any systems or procedures adequately to control the risks to its employees from working in an enclosed space with a substance known to be hazardous to health; and that the decision on whether to wear respiratory protection (face masks) or on what type of respiratory protection should be used was left up to employees. (the deceased was found wearing a completely ineffectual face mask)
The flooring company who supplied the adhesive, was found not to have ensured, so far as reasonably practicable, that the product supplied was safe to use at all times and pleaded guilty to a breach under Section 6 (4) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974; fined £500,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £34,773.
The supplier pleaded guilty to a breach under Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974; fined £250,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £23,936.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Peter Collingwood said: “This tragic incident which has had a devastating effect on a young family was wholly avoidable. It is important that companies have an appreciation of their duties, (whether to its employees or its customers) and have effective systems and procedures in place to ensure that those duties are fulfilled”.
