Fibreline Ltd, a company specialising in foam and feather furnishings, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after failing to protect workers from excessive noise levels made by production machinery.
According to the HSE on their website, "noise levels had become excessive from 2008 when a third machine was added to the feather pillow production process, reaching between two and three times higher than the maximum allowed; and from 2011 in the foam fabrication process when two glue-spraying booths were located side by side."
The HSE reported that, on inspection at the firm’s premises on Hard Ings Road, they found the company had not made a suitable assessment of the noise levels in the factory between 2006 and 2013. A health surveillance programme was necessary, but not implemented until 2013. 40 employees underwent hearing tests as a result.
Fibreline Ltd was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £4,457 in costs after admitting a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
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