A company has been fined £6,000 after a sulphur dioxide leak meant four workers were sent to hospital.

Bairds Malt Limited, of Station Road, Witham, which malts barley, admitted three charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive at Witham Magistrates' Court yesterday (Monday).

Sulphur dioxide is a toxic and corrosive gas. The effects on humans can be serious or fatal, but it depends on the concentration people are exposed to. When inhaled it can cause respiratory problems.

The court heard how a cylinder of the chemical was replaced last summer at Bairds but it was connected incorrectly on August 18.

Instead of the cylinder being attached to a valve releasing gas, it was fitted to the liquid valve.

The task was performed by an employee who was not trained to do it, the court was told.

Two technicians noticed a strong smell of sulphur, and an employee and a supervisor tried to re-attach the pipe to the right valve on August 22.

Andrew Saunders, prosecuting, said the employee expected a little liquid to come out, but it gushed from the container and on to his clothes. He showered and was not taken to hospital.

Staff were evacuated and four workers were taken to hospital because they inhaled sulphur dioxide vapour as they passed the accident on the way to the exit. They were all discharged shortly afterwards.

Mr Saunders said Bairds failed to provide a risk assessment on the chemical's use at the site, lacked in its provision of safety information and procedure for employees and there was confusion over what personal protection equipment should be used by employees.

In mitigation, Helen Walker said the company regretted the accident, had a very good safety record, co-operated with the Health and Safety Executive and acted upon its report to upgrade the safety measures.

It spent £36,000 on improvements, undertook a full risk assessment and sent employees on safety courses.

Miss Walker said the company saw fitting a new cylinder as a straightforward procedure.

She added: "On joining the company everyone is taken through an induction which includes safety procedure.

"A supervisor takes the employee through the key points of safety, then specific training for the role."

Chairman of the bench, David Rose, ordered Bairds to pay £2,000 for each offence and £2,100.95 costs.

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