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Gas Detection

Gas exposure sees Kegworth drinks firm fined

Ozone monitors available at FLS - such as the Drager Pac 8000.

Ozone monitors available at FLS - such as the Drager Pac 8000.

A Kegworth soft drinks company has been fined after exposing a contractor to ozone gas, which led to serious health problems for the 49-year-old male.

A 49-year-old contractor has been left with significant health problems after being exposed to harmful fumes during work carried out for a Kegworth soft drinks manufacturer.

Richard Sharp was overcome by ozone gas at Cott Beverages in Wetherby, West Yorkshire after being handed a permit to work in the firm's site on Sideley Road.

Despite the company having known about the harmful fumes, the victim was not informed and therefore was not wearing the correct breathing apparatus.

Frontline Safety offer a range of both gas detection and breathing apparatus which can be seen on the website.  Visit www.frontline-safety.co.uk for more information and products.

The exposure in summer 2010 led to Mr Sharp developing acute irritant asthma, which means he is unable to work and struggles to leave the house.

Everyday things like air fresheners, candles and perfume can now cause the victim to suffer an asthma attack.

Cott Beverages has since pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

As a result, the firm has been told to pay £20,000 in fines and £11,565 in costs, with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Richenda Dixon explaining that a better job should have been done to ensure employees and contractor were protected from the fumes.

"Cott Beverages was aware of the hazards of ozone and knew there was a leak, but had done nothing to fix the problem or protect their employees or contractors from coming into contact with this gas," she revealed.

"As a result of the company's failings Richard's quality of life has been severely affected and it is unlikely he will be able to return to his normal job. The company should have foreseen the risks and devised a safe way of working."

Mr Sharp explained that he can now no longer walk his dog or go to the pub without risking a severe attack.

"My entire way of life has had to change. I feel like a prisoner in my own home," he said.

In other news, the HSE recently revealed that a Cambridge landlord has been found guilty of putting his tenants at risk by failing to ensure that gas appliances were safe and producing fake certificates to give the impression that they were.

Posted by Dawn Mitchell

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