Agency workers not given adequate training
A company has been fined after three workers were taken to
hospital following a chemical incident at a vegetable grower and
supplier.
In September 2009, a Latvian agency worker was cleaning food
processing machinery when he accidentally mixed two cleaning
chemicals. They reacted together to produce toxic gas. The factory
was evacuated and three workers were taken to hospital with
breathing difficulties.
The court heard that the company had failed to provide suitable
and sufficient information and instruction to the worker about the
risks from the incorrect use of chemicals.
HSE inspector Jo Anderson said, "This incident was entirely
preventable had the company ensured that all agency workers were
given adequate information, instruction and training. Our
investigation also showed that there was almost no consideration
given to the fact that some of the workers understood no or very
little English. As a direct result, three workers were taken to
hospital for treatment and were lucky not to be more seriously
harmed."
Remember this if you employ foreign workers who have a limited
command of the English language.