Cable-recycling firm fined after workers suffer lead poisoning

An Edmonton, UK-based firm that recycles cable pleaded guilty to exposing workers to lead and has to pay approximately £75,000 in fines and costs. The government agency Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the recycler and described "an abysmal lack of care" at its facilities. The HSE is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It found that between October 2008 and July 2009 Metal and Waste Recycling significantly exposed more than 90 workers to lead when those workers stripped the lead-sheathed copper cable that came from British Telecom after the carrier upgraded to fiber-optic cabling. "HSE inspectors visited the site in April 2009 after an employee complained about insufficient protection when working with lead," the HSE said. "During the site visit, HSE found nothing had been done to reduce lead exposure, with inadequate ventilation, face masks or respiratory equipment available." Further, the HSE found, the recycler provided its workers with gloves but they carried out their duties wearing their own clothing, "potentially spreading lead to other people and their own homes," according to the agency. Blood testing on the workers revealed that 23 of them had significantly high levels of lead in their blood, the HSE said, adding that six had symptoms of lead poisoning and were treated at hospitals. Two required chelation therapy, the HSE added. Chris Tilley, an inspector with HSE, said the recycling company "failed to implement adequate control measures, carry out any health surveillance of their workers and provide adequate welfare facilities. "The company fell far short of its legal duties and exposed its employees to an unacceptable level of risk." Metal and Waste Recycling pled guilty in Westminster Magistrates Court on April 23. It was levied a fine of £49,500 and ordered to pay £25,483 in costs.