A Swindon-based pharmaceutical firm has been fined £50,000 after
a number of workers developed skin conditions after being exposed
to a potent substance.
Catalent UK Swindon Zydis Ltd (trading as Catalent Pharma
Solutions) was prosecuted after at least 10 employees developed
allergic contact dermatitis following contact with Olanzapine.
The substance is a key ingredient of one of the most commonly
prescribed antipsychotic drugs, but is also a known cause of
allergic contact dermatitis.
After Olanzapine was linked to the cases of dermatitis among
workers, such as John Renicks, John Clifford and Ian Thorne,
Catalent failed to perform an immediate risk assessment. This
assessment is required by law and is commonplace after
accidents at work.
A thorough review only got under way in February 2008 after two
cases of allergic contact dermatitis were confirmed on October 19,
2007 and December 3, 2007. Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
inspectors had also visited the company by this point.
Swindon Magistrates' Court heard how during HSE's investigation,
a further eight employees were confirmed to have allergic contact
dermatitis as a result of being in contact with Olanzapine.
Catalent UK Swindon Zydis Limited of Frankland Road, Blagrove,
Swindon, pleaded guilty to four charges under Regulations 6(3),
7(1), 11(1) and 11(3) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as well as one charge under
Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. Along
with the fine, It was ordered to pay costs of £50,123.10.