Entire workforce was exposed to metal-working mist

摘要

Barnsley Magistrates' Court has heard that the entire workforce at Koyo Bearings (Europe) Ltd was exposed to metal-working fluid, which was being emitted from more than 100 machines.rnThe machines used water-based chemicals during the manufacture of ball bearings for the automotive industry. The process involved spraying metal-working fluid on torna fast-rotating piece of metal, in order to keep it cool while it is being cut to shape to form a bearing. The machines were not enclosed and there was no extractor fan to prevent workers from coming into contact with the metal-working fluid, which is a known cause of occupational asthma and extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA).