Company fined after worker dies using floor adhesive

A housing association maintenance company has been fined £400,000 after a worker died from inhaling toxic vapours while laying a bathroom floor.

Darren Nevill lost consciousness and collapsed at a property in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, on 9 December 2020.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that he was using a flooring adhesive containing Dichloromethane (DCM), which Connect Property Services Limited has subsequently banned workers from using.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Stevenage Magistrates Court on 26 January.

It was also ordered to pay £9,676 in costs, with a surcharge of £190.

The court heard that while carrying out the work, the 38-year-old had been using a pressurised glue canister which became damaged, releasing a large amount of the highly volatile solvent.

He used the solvent regularly during his work.

Prosecutor Jon Mack said: "HSE scientists calculated that the statutory 15-minute exposure limit for DCM would have been reached within 2-13 seconds, and the final concentration in the bathroom at the time of Mr Nevill's death would have been 84.5 times the exposure limit.

"Mr Nevill was found to have three times the fatal concentration of DCM."

HSE inspector Rauf Ahmed said: "Our thoughts are with the family of Mr Nevill, who was just setting out on his career in construction.

"He should have returned home safely to his family at the end of his working day but, because of the failings of Connect Property Services Limited, he did not."

Connect Property Services Limited, which is part of the Peabody Group, has expressed sympathy for Nevill's family and friends.

A spokesperson said: "This was a tragic accident. It is an upsetting time for all of Darren's colleagues as we remember the distressing loss of a valued member of our team.

"Connect Property Services reported this to the Health and Safety Executive immediately following the incident in December 2020, and we've cooperated fully throughout the investigation.

"Following the incident, the use of the product was immediately stopped, and we do not allow the use of contact spray adhesives containing Dichloromethane by our employees or contractors.

"We also strengthened procedures, training and controls to significantly reduce the risk of anything like this happening again.

"While nothing can change what happened, we continue to make sure the lessons learnt from this tragedy are remembered today. We do everything we can to protect the health and safety of everyone who works for us or alongside us."

HSE guidance on Dichloromethane states that DCM-based products should only be used in well-ventilated areas, to prevent the build-up of vapour.

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