Home / Disasters and Accidents / Corrosive Spill Burns Worker at Chemical Plant
Corrosive Spill Burns Worker at Chemical Plant
14 Feb
Summary
- Agency worker sustained burns to face, eye, neck, and arm.
- Company fined £50,000 for safety regulation breaches.
- Worker recovered after painful injuries, returned to work.
Flowchem UK Ltd has been fined £50,000 following an incident where an agency worker sustained serious burns. The incident occurred on November 2, 2023, when Marzanna Sokolowska was doused in corrosive sink unblocker. She suffered burns to her face, eye, neck, and arm after accidentally opening the wrong valve on a container at the company's facility in Sandiacre, Derbyshire.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that Flowchem UK's work systems inadequately protected employees and agency workers from chemical leaks. Ms Sokolowska was decanting the product when the accident happened. The company pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations at Nottingham Magistrates' Court and was also ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge.
Following the incident, Flowchem UK implemented changes to its working methods to eliminate such risks. HSE Inspector Angus Robbins noted that safer working practices could have prevented the exposure to corrosive chemicals. Ms Sokolowska experienced significant pain and a prolonged period off work due to her injuries, particularly to her eyelid and eye, but has since made a reasonable recovery.
