Chemical Company Fined After Agency Worker Suffers Corrosive Burns

Brief Summary

A Nottingham manufacturer of household cleaning products was fined after an agency worker suffered chemical burns to her face, eye, neck and arm following an incident involving a corrosive drain un blocking liquid. The case highlights failures in safe systems of work, training, personal protective equipment use and first aid planning for the scale of potential exposure.

What Was The Incident?

On 2 November 2023 an agency worker, employed by Flowchem UK Ltd, was decanting corrosive sink and drain un blocking liquid from bulk containers into smaller ones. She accidentally opened the outlet valve on an adjacent container fitted with no end cap, and the liquid sprayed out with considerable force, splashing her face and upper body.

What Was The Outcome?

Flowchem UK Ltd pleaded guilty to breaches of Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined 50000, ordered to pay 7247.40 in costs and a victim surcharge of 2000 at Nottingham Magistrates Court on 12 February 2026. Following the incident, the company changed its working methods to eliminate the risks. The injured worker made a reasonable recovery and returned to work.

What Lessons Can Be Learnt?

Use systems of work that prevent exposure from leaks and loss of containment. Where hazardous liquids are decanted, the overall arrangement and controls must reduce the likelihood and consequences of accidental release, including when valves are incorrectly opened or containment features are missing.

Ensure training is effective for all workers including those with limited English. Training and information provision was found inadequate for workers with limited understanding of English, increasing the chance of errors during routine tasks such as valve operation and decanting.

Make PPE use routine through supervision and monitoring. Although some personal protective equipment was provided, it was routinely not worn and there was inadequate supervision to ensure it was used correctly during the task.

Plan first aid for the worst credible scale of exposure. Eye wash bottles alone were not enough because the first aid arrangements did not account for potential severity and scale, including the lack of a shower for major exposure.

Reduce risk by reviewing task design and working heights. More suitable working methods should be used, such as avoiding decanting large volumes stored at or above head height, and taking action after incidents to eliminate the identified risks.

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