Christopher Hutton, trading as Auto Bodyworks and Wheel Clinic of Storforth Lane Trading Estate, Hasland, Chesterfield, has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failing to comply with two improvement notices.

Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court heard an inspection was carried out by HSE on April 30, 2014, and following that, information was requested by HSE to determine that legal duties had been complied with.

When this information was not provided, Hutton was served with improvement notices including:

  • Improvement Notice I/300414/EW1, which required health surveillance to be provided to any employees exposed to isocyanates(which can cause respiratory sensitisation).
  • Improvement Notice I/300414/EW2 required a thorough examination and test of the spray booth to ensure that it continues to adequately control the exposure of employees to substances hazardous to health.

The court was told Hutton had been given a number of opportunities to comply with the improvement notices but had failed to do so.

Hutton of Gloucester Road, Newbold was fined a total of £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,600 after pleading guilty of breaching Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Edward Walker commented: “Exposure to isocyanate containing paints is the main cause of occupational asthma in the UK. There are well established standards to protect the health of employees which Christopher Hutton had failed to achieve.”