Skip to main content
IOSH Magazine: Safety, Health and Wellbeing in the world of work - return to the homepage IOSH Magaazine logo
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit @ioshmagazine on Twitter
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on LinkedIn
Non-verbal communication
How to build trust
March/April 2023 issue

Main navigation

  • Home
    • Browse previous issues
    • Member accolades
    • Member tributes
  • Health
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Sickness absence
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Rehabilitation
      • Personal injury
      • Return to work
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Achieving Fellowship
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Professional skills
      • Qualifications
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Jobs
  • Covid-19
  • Knowledge Bank
    • Back to basics
    • Book club
    • Infographics
    • Podcast
    • Reports
    • Webinars
    • Videos
  • Products & Services
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Sickness absence
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Leadership
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Qualifications
      • Professional skills
      • Achieving Fellowship
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Transport and logistics
  • Third sector
  • Retail
  • Mining and quarrying
  • Rail
  • Rehabilitation
    • Personal injury
    • Return to work
  • Utilities
  • Manufacturing and engineering
  • Construction
  • Sector: IOSH Branch
    • Sector: Northern Ireland
    • Sector: Midland
    • Sector: Merseyside
    • Sector: Manchester and North West Districts
    • Sector: Ireland East
    • Sector: Ireland
    • Sector: Edinburgh
    • Sector: Desmond-South Munster
    • Sector: Qatar
    • Sector: Oman
    • Singapore
    • Sector: South Coast
    • Sector: South Wales
    • Sector: Thames Valley
    • Sector: Tyne and Wear
    • Sector: UAE
    • Sector: West of Scotland
    • Sector: Yorkshire
  • Healthcare
  • Sector: Fire
  • Sector: Financial/general services
  • Sector: Energy
  • Education
  • Sector: Communications and media
  • Chemicals
  • Sector: Central government
  • Catering and leisure
  • Agriculture and forestry
  • Sector: Local government
  • Sector: IOSH Group
    • Sector: Financial Services
    • Sector: Sports Grounds and Events
    • Rural industries
    • Sector: railway
    • Public Services
    • Sector: Offshore
    • Sector: Hazardous Industries
    • Sector: Food and Drink
    • Sector: Fire Risk Management
    • Education
    • Construction
    • Sector: Aviation and Aerospace
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Categories
  • Topics
  • Safety
  • Incident management
  • Chemicals
Personal protective equipment
Safe systems of work
Chemicals
News

Inadequate PPE left workers with life-threatening chemical burns

Open-access content Wednesday 4th January 2017
From the archive:  Just so you know, this article is more than 3 years old.

Inadequate PPE left workers with life-threatening chemical burns

The PSL Worldwide Projects' employees were cleaning the pipework using sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) granules at pharmaceutical supplier Hyclone UK's site in Cramlington, Northumberland.

On 31 July 2014, water reacted with chemicals in the system and caused the liquid to heat up, creating pressure in the hose. The hose then detached and sprayed the two workers with the solution.

One staff member sustained life-threatening burns to one side of his face, his neck, back, arms, buttocks and leg. The other worker was severely burned on one side of his head, his neck, back and left arm.

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) investigation found that PSL Worldwide Projects did not adequately risk assess the task. The cleaning equipment given to its workers -- particularly the hosing -- was not suitable and the personal protective equipment (PPE) was inadequate.

Sodium hydroxide can cause chemical burns and permanent blindness upon contact with eyes. It is recommended that PPE, such as rubber gloves, safety clothing and eye protection, is worn during handling.

PSL Worldwide Projects pleaded not guilty to breaching s 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act on 28 November 2016 at Bedlington Magistrates' Court but it was found guilty and the case was referred to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing.

The company was fined £150,000 yesterday (3 January). No costs were awarded due to it being in liquidation.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Laura Catterall said: "If a suitable risk assessment had been undertake it would have identified that the equipment being used was not right for the chemicals or the work being carried out."

You may also be interested in...

The turbine hall filled with 603 kg of methane

 ConocoPhillips loses appeal to reduce offshore gas release fine

Tuesday 3rd January 2017
Lord Justice Treacy rejected the oil and gas exploration company’s application at the appeal hearing, held on 11 October 2016 in London.
Open-access content

 KFC fined almost £1m over gravy burns

Monday 23rd January 2017
The restaurant chain was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court after an earlier hearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on 23 November 2016, when it pleaded guilty to two offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act.The court was told that, on 14 July 2014, a 16-year-old member of staff at KFC’s Teesside Park restaurant was asked to remove a container of hot gravy from a microwave. He was not wearing protective gloves and sustained serious burns to his hands and arms.
Open-access content

 BK franchisee pays £166,600 over worker’s oil scald

Tuesday 13th December 2016
KFG Quickserve employee Michael Firth was working in the fast food restaurant on Westgate Street when he spilled scalding hot oil on himself. The accident happened on 28 March 2015 while Firth was emptying oil from three fat fryers. The court heard that he decanted the hot oil into a metal bucket and carried it up some stairs to an outside disposal area. The bucket had no lid. Some of the oil spilled on to Firth’s feet and he dropped the container.
Open-access content

 Contractor fell through unguarded floor hole

Monday 9th January 2017
The company was installing a mezzanine floor at a factory in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey when the incident occurred on 13 January 2015. The contractor was working on the floor when he stepped backwards and fell through a hole where a lift was due to be installed.
Open-access content
©RAIB

 *UPDATE* Network Rail fined £800k after track worker hit by train

Tuesday 10th January 2017
Allen Evans was in “unnecessary danger” as he carried out maintenance work on the Quarry Line, north of the Redhill Tunnel on tracks running between Gatwick Airport and East Croydon, after Network Rail failed to adequately plan and manage the task, Guildford Crown Court was told.
Open-access content
©Bruce Adams/ANL/REX/Shutterstock

 Wilko braced for £2.2m fine after multiple safety failures leave student worker paralysed

Wednesday 11th January 2017
Leicester Crown Court heard that Collins was pulling the metal cage overloaded with 230 kg of paint out from an uneven lift floor at the store’s Beaumont Shopping Centre branch when it toppled on her, causing a severe spinal fracture.Leicester City Council’s public safety team, which brought the prosecution, described it as a “high culpability case”. No suitable risk assessments had been carried out and the general risk assessment covering roll cages did not cover the hazards involved in maneuvering them on uneven surfaces.
Open-access content

Latest from News

Singh-Will-Mix-It-Ltd-1-768x572.png

 £175k fine after concrete pump caused brain trauma

Monday 27th March 2023
Singh Will Mix It has been convicted of safety failings after a worker was hit in the head by a concrete pump while being operated by an untrained colleague – the firm has since become insolvent.
Open-access content
Web-crane-iStock-527909878.png

 Just six months to register for Building Safety Regulator, HSE warns

Monday 27th March 2023
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding those responsible for the safety of high-rise residential buildings in England have six months from April to register with the new Building Safety Regulator by law.
Open-access content
web-ambulance-iStock-108224197.png

 Welsh ambulance worker who caught Covid from patient died of an industrial disease, concludes coroner

Monday 27th March 2023
A coroner has concluded that an ambulance worker in Wales who caught Covid while attending to an infected patient died from an ‘industrial disease’.
Open-access content

Latest from Chemicals

IOSH EcoOnline live Nov 22 LIVE_288 x 198 image only.png

 Chemicals management Q&A

Friday 24th March 2023
A recent IOSH magazine webinar reflected on COSHH ill-health statistics in the manufacturing industry. With almost 3,000 viewers, lots of questions were asked. Here we answer some of those we didn't get to.
Open-access content
web_hospital_CREDIT-gorodenkoff_iStock-1046447804.png

 Akzonobel company fined £800,000 after explosion

Friday 9th December 2022
Akzonobel company fined £800,000 after explosion A worker was left with all-over body scarring, partial blindness and hearing damage after an explosion at a chemicals firm.
Open-access content
CSB safety video of fatal hydrogen sulphide incident released to improve US industry practices

 Safety video of fatal hydrogen sulphide incident released to improve US industry practices

Friday 6th August 2021
The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a new safety video to improve practices in the oil and gas sector following the Aghorn Operating waterflood station incident in 2019, which claimed the lives of an employee and his spouse.
Open-access content

Latest from Safe systems of work

web_United-States-flag_credit_iStock-487485528.png

 Penalties mount for vehicle parts maker on OSHA’s ‘severe violator enforcement programme’

Wednesday 10th August 2022
The US Department of Labor has presented an Ohio-based vehicle parts manufacturer on its ‘severe violator enforcement programme’ with a fine of $480,240 (approx. £373,000) after inspectors found it had continually exposed workers to multiple machine hazards
Open-access content
Dyson HSE lead photo.jpg

 Dyson lands £1.2m fine after worker escapes more serious injuries

Friday 5th August 2022
Dyson Technologies has been handed a £1.2 million fine after a worker at its Wiltshire site narrowly escaped being crushed by a 1.5 tonne milling machine.
Open-access content
web_p74_Talking-Shop.png

 Talking shop: hand dominance

Friday 1st July 2022
How should organisations consider left-handedness in their safety management systems? Four industry leaders offer their thoughts.
Open-access content

Latest from Chemicals

IOSH EcoOnline live Nov 22 LIVE_288 x 198 image only.png

 Chemicals management Q&A

Friday 24th March 2023
A recent IOSH magazine webinar reflected on COSHH ill-health statistics in the manufacturing industry. With almost 3,000 viewers, lots of questions were asked. Here we answer some of those we didn't get to.
Open-access content
web_Nitrogen_credit_iStock-525383399.png

 Director was unfairly dismissed as H&S officer did not raise concerns over cryo-chamber installation

Wednesday 9th November 2022
A director who had installed a cryotherapy chamber was unfairly dismissed, a tribunal has ruled, because the technical director and principal health and safety officer at the business failed to raise concerns about the work undertaken.
Open-access content
web_Close-eye-on-the-dock_credit_iStock-689968424.png

 HSE report highlights risks posed by hazardous atmospheres in freight containers at ports and distribution centres

Friday 4th November 2022
Research published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has identified some weaknesses in the control measures at a number of ports and distribution centres in relation to workers coming into contact with hazardous substances when examining or unloading freight containers.
Open-access content

Latest from Personal protective equipment

web_Gold-cross-on-the-floor_CREDIT_iStock-185274366.jpg

 Worker unfairly dismissed after ‘cursory’ risk assessment banned crucifix necklace

Friday 22nd July 2022
A factory worker who was sacked after refusing to remove his crucifix necklace has won his unfair dismissal case on appeal after a judge agreed the employer’s risk assessment had been 'cursory'.
Open-access content
jtjx

 The dangers of forestry

Wednesday 4th May 2022
Winter storms and slashed budgets combined with a lack of skills and awareness are leading to needless deaths in forestry and arboriculture.
Open-access content
web_Self-help-group-in-nursing-home_credit_iStock-1307369161.png

 Care worker who threatened to report employer for Covid PPE breach wins constructive dismissal case

Monday 11th April 2022
A care home worker who joked about reporting his employer to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for not enforcing the wearing of facemasks at the height of the pandemic has won his claim for constructive unfair dismissal.
Open-access content
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Latest Jobs

Senior Health and Safety Manager

Reading
Up to £65000.00 per annum + Great Car Allowance & Benefits
Reference
5452983

Regional Health and Safety Advisor

Northampton
Up to £53000 per annum + Travel & Excellent Benefits
Reference
5452982

Global Health, Safety and Environment Director

Up to £150000 per annum + Excellent Benefits
Reference
5452980
See all jobs »

Sign up for regular e-alerts

Receive the latest news and features, free to your inbox

Sign up

Subscribe to IOSH magazine

Receive the print edition straight to your door

Subscribe
IOSH Covers
​
FOLLOW US
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel +44 (0)20 7880 6200
​

IOSH

About IOSH
Become a member
IOSH Events
MyIOSH

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to IOSH magazine
Write for IOSH magazine

IOSH Magazine

Health
Safety
Management
Skills
IOSH Jobs

© 2023 IOSH • IOSH is not responsible for the content of external sites

ioshmagazine.com and IOSH Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ