Maintenance company fined after worker dies

A housing maintenance company has been fined £400,000 after an employee died from inhaling vapours from a flooring adhesive. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

The employee was laying a vinyl bathroom floor at a property using an adhesive containing Dichloromethane, which gives off large amounts of colourless vapour, purchased by the employer. This was purchased and used regularly throughout his employment.

On the day of the incident, the hose of the glue cannister was damaged and the adhesive was released into the bathroom, causing the employee to become unconscious and collapse. The emergency services had to force their way into the bathroom.

The HSE found that the maintenance company had failed to take appropriate cautions in ensuring that hazardous substances are not used when alternatives are available.