Ventilation problems at an electrical equipment recycling plant, which exposed workers to toxic mercury and lead, have led to fines of £145,000 for a recycling firm and its director.

Twenty employees working at Electrical Waste Recycling Group’s Huddersfield site between October 2007 and August 2008 were left with levels of mercury in their system that exceeded UK guidance levels; five of these showed extremely high levels. Several workers reported suffering ill health, including a pregnant employee who was concerned about the risks to her child.

The firm — which recycles electrical equipment, including fluorescent light tubes containing mercury and TV sets and monitors containing lead — had failed properly to assess the risks of exposure to hazardous substances and to prevent or control exposure. During its investigation, the HSE issued five improvement notices and one prohibition notice.

Describing the exposure of so many workers, including young and vulnerable people, as “shocking”, HSE inspector Jeanne Morton said the risks of handling toxic substances like mercury have been known for generations. “The company failed to see the risks created by their recycling work and failed to develop effective plans for safe working. They also did nothing to check their workers’ health after exposure.”

At Bradford Crown Court on 5 February, Judge Stewart fined Electrical Waste (formerly Matrix Direct Recycle) £140,000 plus £35,127 costs after it admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, Regulations 6(1)(a), 7(1) and 11(1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), and Regulation 5(1) of the Control of Lead at Work Regulations. He also fined director Craig Thompson £5000 for failing to prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances, in breach of Regulation 7(1) of COSHH.

Article created by Editor. (info@complyuk.co.uk)