14-04-2008
HSE issues warning following firm's prosecution
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The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning in relation to work conducted with dangerous substances.
Issued following the prosecution of a firm in relation to an incident which occurred in May 2007, where employees became exposed to hazardous fumes.
"It is vital for companies to carry out risk assessments if their employees are to be exposed to hazardous substances," said Fiona MacNeill, an inspector with the HSE, an organisation which receives funds from the Department for Work and Pensions.
"In this case, [the firm] did not make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk posed by fumes and gases."
As a consequence of the incident, the firm was found to be in breach of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and fined a total of £2,000.
Costs of £8,516 were also imposed.
The HSE recently merged with the Health and Safety Commission.