Essex Chemical Firm Fined £3.8 Million After Serious Employee Burns

New safety concerns arise for Chemical burn safety Essex workplaces following a significant fine. Industrial Chemicals Limited (ICL) received a £3.8 million penalty. This fine follows two severe chemical burn incidents involving employees.

Serious Chemical burn safety Essex Failings Lead to Life-Altering Injuries

Industrial Chemicals Limited, an Essex-based manufacturer, has been fined £3.8 million. This follows an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The investigation revealed significant safety failings at two company sites.

Two employees suffered serious chemical burns from caustic soda exposure. In the most severe incident, an employee lost his leg below the knee. Another worker required skin grafts for their injuries. These cases highlight a critical lapse in workplace chemical management.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It found consistent failures at both ICL sites. These included inadequate assessment and control of risks linked to hazardous substances.

The first incident occurred on 6 December 2019 at ICL's West Thurrock site. Michael Bartholomew, now 60, stepped into a caustic soda puddle. His provided safety boots were not fit for purpose. They lacked adequate protection and had not been sufficiently tested.

Mr Bartholomew sustained severe burns. This injury ultimately led to his leg being amputated below the knee. He has been unable to work since the incident.

Mr Bartholomew described his profound personal impact in a Victim Personal Statement. "I felt that this was game over for me," he stated. "I would not be able to work or support my family."

He added, "Losing my independence and work is a huge loss and I feel I have gone through a grieving process as my work life was such an important and integral part of my life."

HSE's investigation at West Thurrock found numerous leaks of hazardous substances. These leaks came from pipework, valves, and hoses across the site. There was no suitable system for equipment inspection, maintenance, or testing. This failure allowed leaks to occur where workers walked.

Work systems also did not address spillages effectively. Controls for clearing them were inadequate. The unmade ground around the boiler house allowed puddles to accumulate. Additionally, designated walkways were insufficient or unenforced.

Further Incident and Preventative Measures

A second incident took place on 30 August 2022 at ICL's now-closed Titan Works site in Grays. An employee was manually decanting 50% concentration caustic soda. Drips from the hose fell onto his foot, causing burns. These burns later needed skin grafts to heal. This employee has since returned to work.

Investigators found no risk assessment or documented safe system for this task. An existing automatic dosing plant could have been used. This would have eliminated the need for manual handling entirely.

Following the incident, manual decanting into 25-litre containers ceased. Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) are now delivered pre-mixed. This change has removed the specific risk entirely.

HSE Inspector Julia Gebauer commented on the company's failings. "This was a company operating with significant volumes of a highly corrosive material," she explained. "They had manifestly failed to put proper measures in place to protect their workers."

She further stated, "The consequence was two separate incidents at two separate sites – one of which resulted in life-altering injuries – that pointed to a pattern of avoidable risks that Industrial Chemicals Ltd could and should have prevented."

ICL pleaded guilty to two charges. These breached Regulation 7(1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. The company was fined £3.8 million. It was also ordered to pay costs of £124,748. This ruling came from Southwark Crown Court on 21 April 2026.

This case serves as a stark reminder. Employers must prioritise robust safety protocols. They must protect employees from hazardous substances.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official clinical data from NHS Trust / Health Authority. Document: Chemical company fined £3.8 million after investigation into serious chemical burns suffered by two employees Source Link: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2026/04/24/chemical-company-fined-3-8-million-after-investigation-into-serious-chemical-burns-suffered-by-two-employees/

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