Content Officer

Another company was recently found guilty of health and safety violations and was prosecuted following investigations by the HSE. Millennium Inorganic Chemicals Ltd was convicted under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 at the Grimsby Magistrates Court on 3 April 2009. The company was fined £40,000 and had to pay costs amounting to £25,000.

The company is involved in the manufacture of titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is used in plastic bags, aerospace components, polymers etc., and Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) is a by-product in the production of TiO2.

The incident involved the leakage of approximately 82 litres of titanium tetrachloride into the atmosphere during the draining of a vessel. The escaping TiCl4 mixed with moisture present in air, and thus became lethal. The substance could have seriously affected the people living close to the site, if an alert operator had not blocked the flow of the chemical in time.

Mike Nind from the HSE inspection team reported that they had found quite a few blunders and instances of carelessness at the work site. The company had not taken adequate measures with respect to proper workplace design, risk assessment, safety management, and supervision.

It was obvious that the unfortunate incident, which could have easily escalated into a dangerous one, was a result of a lack of responsibility shown by the company. This prompted the HSE to warn companies in the chemical business to be more careful about health and safety management at their sites.

Any company that is involved in work where employees could potentially be injured must make themselves fully aware of the legal implications and training available to avoid the wrath of the HSE and the courts. Protect your company with accredited health and safety courses such as the iosh safety courses offered by Workplace Law Training.