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Waste & Recycling October 22, 2014 10:30:08 AM

Scrap metal company fined over health and safety violations

Paul Ploumis
ScrapMonster Author
A Darwen, Lancashire-based scrap metal company has been fined for violating safety and health standards after workers suffered from lead poisoning

Scrap metal company fined over health and safety violations

CANTERBURY (Scrap Monster): A Darwen, Lancashire-based scrap metal company has been fined for violating safety and health standards after workers suffered from lead poisoning. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted Frank Barnes (Darwen) Ltd on charges of over-exposure of its employees to lead and dust.

The company in 2009 had entered into a contract with lead battery manufacturer for dismantling metal structures and machinery. As part of the contract, workers were deputed at the Over Hulton battery factory. The workers at Frank Barnes’ own site too were reportedly working with lead.

In 2009, an employee belonging to the company was admitted to hospital. Blood tests revealed that the person’s body contained seven times the normal amount of lead. The company was told not to expose the employee to lead materials, but the advice was ignored. Tests conducted a year later further revealed that the lead content in his blood were still at high level.

After detecting high blood reading in another worker, the HSE advised the firm to take off such workers from lead exposure. Despite the warning, the employees were continued to work in the same environment.

The inspection conducted by HSE officials found two other workers who were having high lead content in their blood being allowed to continue their work. Furthermore, the employees were not provided adequate protective devices.

Frank Barnes (Darwen) Ltd has been fined £30,000 for breach of Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Additionally, the company has been asked to pay £29,639.65 in prosecution costs.

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