NEWS INCOURTS THE ABEL DIRECTOR IMPRISONED
FOR ILLEGAL CHEMICALS SALES A company director has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for the online sale of products containing prohibited substances.
Warwick Crown Court heard that a complaint was raised in August 2014 that Abel (UK) Ltd was selling a plant protection product containing Sodium Chlorate, a prohibited substance.
An investigation by the HSE also found the company was selling paint stripper containing dichloromethane (DCM), which is restricted under Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals (REACH).
The company also failed to check at the point of sale the paint stripper containing DCM was either being sold for use in industrial installations or, after October 2016, to appropriately certificated professionals, which is a condition of sale.
HSE worked with online platforms to have the advertisements for these products taken down and
PROSECUTION AFTER SERIOUS
LATHE INCIDENT An engineering company has been fined after an apprentice was seriously-injured by a lathe.
Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard how, on 16 September 2016 in Stewarton, Ayrshire, the safety interlocks of a CNC lathe were overridden to allow an apprentice to operate a machine with the doors open meaning he was exposed to dangerous moving parts. The apprentice was left seriously injured after his clothing became entangled in the rotating stock bar of the lathe. Injuries sustained include serious burns and lacerations to his neck, arm and torso as a result of his clothing being ripped off by the rotating stock bar.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive
served enforcement notices to prohibit further supply. However, the enforcement notices were ignored by Abel (UK) ltd.
Abel (UK) Ltd’s director, Nicholas Corbett of Weddington Road, Nuneaton pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 9 and 18 of The Plant Protection Products Regulations 2011 and Regulation 11(2) of The REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008, and was given a 10-month custodial sentence.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Sarah Dutton said: “Chemicals are carefully regulated to protect human health and the environment. Sodium Chlorate is not approved for use in weed killers, as a safe level of use was not established for operators. Dichloromethane (DCM) has been restricted in paint strippers due to concerns for human health during its use – it has caused fatalities when not used properly.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will take robust action against those who unnecessarily put the lives of workers and the public at risk, and against those who endanger the environment, through the inappropriate supply and use of chemicals.”
(HSE) found the company had failed to carry out the correct control measures and to implement a safe system of work.
Hyspec Engineering Limited of Rigg Street, Stevenston, North Ayrshire pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) and (2) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and has been fined £80,000.
HSE Inspector Kathryn Wilson said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices. Whilst the employee suffered serious injuries, the consequences could have been so much worse.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standard.”
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