A plastics manufacturing company has been fined after it put workers and the public at risk of being infected with potentially deadly bacteria.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the company after members of the public became infected with Legionnaire’s disease in September 2020.
Five people were infected with the potentially deadly lung infection. One person was taken to intensive care and put on a ventilator after being infected.
The company was fined for failing to manage the risk of Legionella. HSE found the water-cooling towers inherited by the company at its site in West Bromwich were in an extremely poor condition. This allowed Legionella bacteria to grow in the water-cooling towers and pipes, exposing employees and members of the public to risks of significant ill health.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £11,000 in costs at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 2 June 2023.
HSE principal inspector said: “The condition of the cooling towers at this site was the worst I had ever seen. The Legionella exposure risk to employees, site visitors, neighbouring duty holders and members of the public was extreme in nature.
“Exposure to Legionella can cause death or serious illness where water cooling systems are not been managed effectively. It is really important that proactive management of the risk from Legionella bacteria is taken seriously. There are well publicised and simple precautions for companies to take, and if followed, will ensure that employers manage and control the risk.”
What is legionnaires disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection you can get from inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning or hot tubs. It’s uncommon but it can be very serious.
How do you get legionnaires?
You can get Legionnaires’ disease if you breathe in tiny droplets of water containing bacteria that causes the infection. It’s usually caught in places like hotels, hospitals or offices where the bacteria have got into the water supply. It’s less common to catch it at home.
What are the symptoms to look out for?
- a cough
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain
- a high temperature
- flu-like symptoms
For any further advice, phone us on 01691 688723 or email us at info@mbo.ltd and we will be happy to assist you.
Sources: HSE: Information about health and safety at work The NHS website – NHS (www.nhs.uk)