A WINSFORD company has been fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £1,800 costs - for exposing six workers to a hazardous toxic chemical called DMF.
One worker became ill suffering dizzy spells, nose bleeds and alcohol intolerance after Advanced Medical Solutions failed to take adequate precautions, magistrates heard.
The company, which produces specialised wound dressings, admitted the charges at Northwich Magistrates' Court, last Thursday.
Prosecuting for the Health and Safety Executive, Chris Gallagher said the company, which has an annual turnover of £6.5 million, employed 160 workers over two sites.
The affected one was unit eight in Pineapple Park on the Winsford Industrial Estate.
He said the company had failed to ensure the health of employees by exposing them to DMF over a four month period from September to November 1999.
In early 2000 employees complained of bad health - in particular Stephen Hill who had hot flushes, alcohol intolerance, dizziness and nose bleeds.
He was one of four operators and two supervisors working on a new membrane line.
Concerns were also expressed about possible long term liver damage to the affected employees.
The court heard there were adequate safety measures at the other factory in Tarvin, near Chester.
Employees at Winsford had been given verbal instructions but no-one had realised how easily it could be absorbed into the skin.
Defending for the company John Tuner said Advanced Medical Solutions realised that some people were more susceptible to DMF problems and that pre-employment health checks should have been carried out.
Suitable protective clothing and extraction vents had not been provided but proper health and safety measures were now in place.
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