Man develops illness with photochemicals
Man develops illness with photochemicals
The former employer of a photo booth engineer whose health was wrecked by toxic chemicals has been fined £100,000. Photo-Me International received the fine and was ordered to pay an additional £30,000 in court costs after pleading guilty at Bristol Crown Court to flouting eight health and safety regulations between 2000 and 2004. The problem only came to light after Stuart White, 37, blew the whistle on the workplace dangers. He was one of three workers who suffered debilitating injuries after they were required to mix dangerous chemicals by hand. He contracted dermatitis, which resulted in painful burns all over his body, including his eyelids. The condition was so bad he couldn't do up his shirt buttons without his blistered fingertips bursting open. Speaking after the hearing, he said: 'These burns made my life a living hell. I'd drive home at night knowing that I would be in agony later on.' The case follows a two-year investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). HSE investigating inspector Liam Osbourne said: 'Stuart had his employment terminated because he was no longer able to work because he had been sensitised. It's an important case for us because we think more prosecutions will come from it. It draws the public's attention to how serious and debilitating dermatitis can be. But if Stuart hadn't come forward we would be none the wiser.' Judge Simon Darwell-Smith said: 'We're concerned with a long period of four years and three employees who suffered considerably from the effects of chemicals. It is apparent that a woefully inadequate system existed in the company to ensure there was sufficient measures to handle this on a day-to-day basis.'
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