An Essex-based company, Timbercraft Windows & Doors Limited, has been fined £4,000 after repeatedly failing to protect its workers from hazardous wood dust exposure. The company, which manufactures windows, doors, and conservatories, was visited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) three times over a 12-year period, with each visit identifying significant health and safety breaches.
Key Failures Identified:
- Inadequate Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV): The company failed to ensure its LEV systems were properly maintained and tested within the required 14-month period.
- Improper Respiratory Protection: Employees were not face-fit tested for their Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), leaving them vulnerable to inhalation of hazardous particles.
- Unsafe Cleaning Practices: Workers regularly dry-swept wood dust and used compressed air lines to clear machines, increasing airborne dust levels.
- Incorrect Equipment Usage: The company used inappropriate L-class vacuums instead of higher-rated systems designed for wood dust removal.
- Lack of Health Surveillance: Employees exposed to wood dust were not placed under mandatory health surveillance, a key legal requirement.
Legal Consequences
Timbercraft Windows & Doors Limited pleaded guilty to breachingRegulations 9(2), 11(1), and 7(1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. As a result, the company was fined£4,000 and ordered to pay an additional£2,792 in legal costs at a hearing held at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on16 January 2025.
Lessons for Employers
This case serves as a stark reminder that failing to comply with workplace health and safety regulations can have severe financial and legal consequences. To prevent similar issues, businesses must:
- Ensure LEV systems are regularly tested and maintained.
- Provide employees with properly fitted RPE.
- Use appropriate cleaning methods, avoiding dry sweeping and compressed air.
- Invest in the correct class of vacuums for hazardous dust.
- Implement a robust health surveillance program for exposed workers.
📞Are you confident in your company’s compliance? Contact Compass HSC today for expert advice on managing workplace hazards and ensuring compliance with COSHH regulations.