An engineering business was sentenced and fined after a welder fabricator developed hypersensitive pneumonitis. This profound and irreversible respiratory illness develops after long-term exposure to welding fumes and metalworking fluids.
The welder fabricator was at risk of inhalation of welding fumes and metalworking fluid mists, which potentially contained harmful bacteria. His 30-year-long career exposure with the company led to the development of the condition, which has seriously impacted the employee’s life, preventing work and making oxygen necessary for day-to-day tasks. He is currently being assessed to ascertain whether a lung transplant would be beneficial.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had failed to implement industry-standard control measures, including Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV), Respiratory Protective Equipment and a management system for the metalworking fluids.
Fluid systems, which contain water or water mixes, can become highly contaminated with harmful bacteria and must be monitored and controlled. Had these measures been observed, the development of the illness could have been prevented.
The Fine
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. As a result, they were fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9.555.29.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Lianne Farrington commented: “Companies should be aware of the need for a management regime in order to prevent occupational ill health and that failure to control exposure to metalworking fluids and welding fumes can result in serious and irreversible respiratory illness.’’
Welding Fume Inspections
HSE has announced that their inspectors are continuing to visit businesses across Great Britain as part of their targeted HSE metalworking fluids (MWFS) inspection programme. We’ve put together a post with top tips on how to pass an HSE welding fume inspection.
Control Exposure from Welding Fumes
We’ve also compiled plenty of advice to help businesses create welding fume-free workplaces. Visit our Welding Fume Extraction page to learn more. We help businesses control exposure to welding fumes, which are derived from metalworking and welding processes.
We offer a diverse range of products suitable for various industries and sectors. We’re experts at capturing welding fumes and safely removing them to help your business provide a pollution-free workplace. We work in the metalworking industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical device manufacturing, power generation, and general precision machining.
Read our Welding Fume and Grinding Dust Extraction case study that we recently completed.
