Glass maker fined for lead contamination at factory

Date:

24 September 2010

Release No:

WM166/10

A Black Country glass maker has been fined £3,600 after its premises were found to be contaminated by lead.

An unannounced Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection of the site at Pedmore Road Industrial Estate in Brierley Hill found the levels of lead contamination to be above the occupational exposure limit. This created a significant and substantial risk to the health of employees in the factory itself and in the office areas.

Staffordshire Crystal Ltd, trading as Brierley Crystal, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5 of the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 and Regulation 25(2)(b) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. As well as the fine, the company were also ordered to pay £7,000 costs.

Stourbridge and Halesowen Magistrates Court heard how on 27 October 2009 a routine inspection was carried out at the site, which produced lead cut crystal items, which identified that exposure to lead was not being adequately controlled.

HSE's investigation concluded that the company had not carried out suitable and sufficient risk assessments and that their employees were put at serious risk to their health as exposure to lead was not being adequately controlled. Six improvement notices were served to ensure that the company complied with the law.

The visit also found there wasn't even a place for workers properly to wash their hands or a rest area for workers to have meals. In good weather they would go outside, but otherwise they would have lunch in the factory, greatly increasing the prospect of them ingesting lead.

HSE inspector Jenny Skeldon said:

“This was a proactive prosecution following a routine visit to the premises. Lead exposure is a recognised cause of occupational ill health and this requires adequate control measures to either prevent or control exposure. Good personal hygiene such as hand-washing before eating or drinking is also very important in controlling exposure.”

“Firms that are operating with lead-based materials need to ensure their workers are protected at all times, not just in the processing areas where they are carrying out their duties, but also the rest and eating areas.”

More information about working safely with lead can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/lead/

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement.
2. Regulation 5 of the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 can be found at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2676/contents/made#5
3. Regulation 25(2)(b) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 can be found at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1992/Uksi_19923004_en_2.htm#mdiv25

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR (West Midlands)