24/12/2010 - Firm fined over allergic reactions
A number of staff at a pharmaceutical company were sensitised to a potent substance and developed allergic contact dermatitis, leading to a fine for the firm.
Catalent UK Swindon Zydis Limited was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after at least 10 employees, including Ian Thorne, John Clifford and John Renicks, developed the skin condition when working with Olanzapine.
The substance, which is an active ingredient in one of the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic drugs, can cause allergic contact dermatitis.
While the company, which trades as Catalent Pharma Solutions, identified Olanzapine as the potential cause of previous cases of dermatitis, it failed to carry out immediate review of its risk assessment as required by law.
Instead, a thorough review was only started in February 2008 after two cases of allergic contact dermatitis had been confirmed on 19 October 2007 and 3 December 2007 and HSE had visited the company.
Swindon Magistrates' heard how during HSE's investigation, a further eight employees were confirmed to have allergic contact dermatitis as a result of being in contact with Olanzapine.
Catalent UK Swindon Zydis Limited of Frankland Road, Blagrove, Swindon, pleaded guilty to four charges under Regulations 6(3), 7(1), 11(1) and 11(3) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as well as one charge under Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. It was ordered to pay a fine of £50,000 plus £50,123.10 in costs.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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