HSE INVESTIGATION AT GLAXOSMITHKLINE FACTORY

HSE press release: E155:03 - 14 August 2003

Current working conditions at the GlaxoSmithKline factory in Kent have been investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), after allegations that former employees were suffering serious ill-health effects resulting from working at the factory.

Following the allegations on a national television programme, HSE carried out an inspection to ensure that present day workers at the Dartford plant were being adequately protected.

Bob Woodward, regional head of HSE's Hazardous Installations Unit, explained: "The TV programme raised concerns about past practices concerning the handling of the drug azathioprine. Clearly this will have raised very real worries for the present workforce and it was therefore vital for HSE to make an independent assessment of the conditions at the workplace and take action, if necessary, to secure improvements."

The findings of the investigation were that for present conditions:

• Control of exposure on the packing line is satisfactory
  
• Available facilities are exemplary and comprehensive procedures exist throughout all areas visited.
  
• There is compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 in terms of exposure to carcinogens and sensitisers.

However there are some areas where improvements to reduce the risk of skin sensitisation could be made and GSK has been asked to:

• Clarify their policy with regard to protective clothing (gloves and masks) when any manual intervention is made to the packing line of coated drugs containing azathioprine.
  
• Review the risk assessments for activities involving active ingredients in a systematic manner.
  
• Specify occupational hygiene monitoring intervals, where they have been shown to be necessary.
  
• Undertake health surveillance (for dermatitis) for all employees who handle skin sensitisers such as azathioprine.

Notes to editors

1. The television programme "Tonight with Trevor McDonald" broadcast on 24 February 2003 interviewed three former employees of GlaxoSmithKline who have suffered serious ill health and assertions were made that further cases were in the pipeline. Three women were interviewed all of whom had worked for GSK for lengthy periods of time (10+ years) commencing in the mid 1980s.

2. HSE was asked to comment and agreed to look at the current standards in the factory.

3. The Tonight programme dealt with the packaging of coated tablets of a cytotoxic drug trade name Imuran, active ingredient azathioprine. The drug is used medically to try and prevent the rejection of transplanted organs.

4. Azothioprine is classified as a carcinogen and can cause skin sensitisation. The potential for absorption of azathioprine through the skin is considered to be low.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office