Engineering firm sentenced over legionella risk at powder coating plant

Following an investigation by the HSE, Wolverhampton Magistrates Court heard how the mechanical engineering firm had no controls in place for the management of risk of legionella bacteria in a water system at the plant.  

De-Met Colourcoat pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2 (1) and 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, was fined £10,000, and ordered to pay costs of £5067.68.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Paul Cooper said: “This was a case where the company failed to have any controls whatsoever for the management of legionella at the powder coating plant.

“Without identifying and putting in place suitable control measures there is a real risk of Legionnaires’ disease from tunnel washers.”

Legionnaires’ disease, which is caused by the legionella bacterium, is a form of pneumonia caught typically by inhaling water or water vapour containing the bacteria. It is not known to spread from person to person, HSE said.