HSE: Allergic reaction at work

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 22 July 2021
  • Generated on 13 December 2024
  • IMCA SF 20/21
  • 2 minute read

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has fined a company more than £100,000 after an employee developed an allergic form of dermatitis after coming into contact with metalworking fluids. 

What happened?

Our Members’ operations may make use of potentially hazardous substances, so this may be of interest.

An employee was splashed on the face and upper body with metalworking fluid whilst cleaning out a grinding machine.

As a result of the contact the employee had an allergic reaction, consisting of a very painful burning sensation, inflamed, broken and oozing skin, and was diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis. 

This was a permanent allergy, which meant that even small quantities of this substance could result in a further serious reaction.

The employee received medical advice that they could no longer continue in their job as it was a risk to their health.

Irritant

What went wrong?

The company had:

  • Failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment to identify the potential for exposure to the hazardous chemicals.

  • Not implemented the necessary controls to prevent skin contact. This was particularly important in this case as the company was already aware (IMCA italics) that the employee had a history of dermatitis.

The HSE inspector noted that “Dermal risks from metalworking fluids are well known within industry and there are simple and effective controls available to prevent contact with the skin. This serious health condition could have been prevented if the company had carried out the required risk assessment and implemented the necessary control measures, including suitable personal protective equipment, particularly gloves. All of these risks and controls are described in HSE and industry guidance, which is widely available.”

Actions / recommendations

Members may wish to review:

Latest Safety Flashes:

LTI: Finger injury during emergency recovery of ROV

A worker suffered a serious finger injury when their finger was caught between a crane wire and the recovery hook on an ROV.

Read more
BSEE: recurring hand injuries from alternative cutting devices

The United States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published Safety Alert 487.

Read more
NTSB: Crane wire failure

The National Transportation Safety Board of the United States (NTSB) published "Safer Seas Digest 2023".

Read more
Hot work performed outside of Permit to Work (PTW) boundary limit

A near miss occurred when a third-party contractor working removed a trip hazard from the vessel main deck, using a cutting torch and grinding disc.

Read more
Vital safety information (height of vehicle) found incorrect

“Height of vehicle” information displayed on a truck, was found to be incorrect.

Read more

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.

The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.

All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.

Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.