The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning that employers who ignore Improvement Notices will face prosecution.

After an inspection in November 2007, the HSE served two notices on the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Essex, requiring it to implement a 'suitable and sufficient' risk assessment of the use of latex – and to control any risks identified.

The trust needed two extensions and 'significant support' from the HSE before it complied with the first notice in May 2008. The HSE had to extend the second notice three times – and finally, to 1 July 2008. However, a subsequent HSE inspection found the trust had still not complied with the notice.

Inspectors also discovered the trust had failed to report a member of staff had been diagnosed with latex-linked occupational dermatitis.

On Tuesday (22/09/09) at Harlow Magistrates' Court, the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, of Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex pleaded guilty to two breaches of health and safety legislation relating to the exposure of staff to occupational dermatitis. The trust was fined £6,500 and ordered to pay £4,500 costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Matthew Tackling said:

'As this case demonstrates, employers need to realise the importance of complying with Improvement Notices, as they can be prosecuted for not carrying out the required work within the specified timescale.

'Reporting cases of occupational dermatitis is a legal requirement. Employers should ensure they know which substances can cause dermatitis in their workplace, how to recognise the symptoms, how to prevent it occurring and the need to report cases if they develop.'

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