The Danish-owned wind turbine blade manufacturer Vestas Blades has pleaded guilty to offences pertaining to the Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).
Thirteen staff at its Isle of Wight facility developed dermatitis when exposed to epoxy resins, known for causing allergic reaction and skin sensitisation. The HSE investigated and found the risk assessment was falling short and exposing the workers to unnecessary hazards.
Roger Upfold, HSE inspector, commented:
Dermatitis is not a trivial condition ... Epoxy resins are hazardous substances with well-known ill-health effects. Skin contact with this type of substance can result in long term consequences. People who become sensitised to this type of substance may not ever be able to work again with the substance without experiencing serious ill-health effects.
Vestas Blades must now pay £35,000. £10,000 for breaching Sections 6 and 7 of the COSHH Regulations and £25,000 in costs.
Read the full story at Health and Safety Professional
June 23, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment