A company that specialises in paint coatings has been fined for exposing its employees to health risks. The business seemed to not understand the risk caused by exposure to lead based paint despite the fact the risks are common knowledge. Had the business not fully understood the extent of the risks they should have sought professional advice.

Newport Magistrates’ Court heard how in March 2015, Specialist Paint Coatings Limited of Cardiff was refurbishing 72 metal window frames at premises on High Street, Newport. They exposed employees and others to health risks by high pressure shot blasting old lead-based paint.

An investigation by the HSE into the incident, found that there was an inadequate risk assessment and a lack of control measures to reduce the risk of exposing workers and others to lead.

Special Paint Coatings Limited, of Cardiff, was fined a total of £9,000, with costs of £1,324 after pleading guilty to offences under the Control of Lead at Works Regulations 2002.