Risk news

A construction company has been fined £10,000 after two of its workers were taken to hospital with acute lead poisoning.

Blairish Restorations Limited of Aberfeldy Business Park was carrying out a renovation project in Strathtay and failed to notice the presence of the lead paint.

It pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has therefore issued a warning to firms to know the dangers lead paint can pose to workers on construction sites.

HSE inspector Gary Stimpson said renovating older buildings in particular requires vigilance from contractors.

"There may be a view that lead is an historic problem, which was dealt with a long time ago," he commented.

He explained that once dust from lead paint enters the body through swallowing or breathing, it causes debilitating symptoms.

These could include constipation, nausea, headaches and loss of weight.

Uncontrolled exposure over a sustained period of time can lead to infertility and damage to nerves, kidneys and the brain.

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