Health agency admits E.coli spill

The Health Protection Agency yesterday admitted spilling E.coli on to the floor of one its sites.

Although no one was infected by the food poisoning bug, several employees were exposed to risk of infection, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

The HSE, which brought the prosecution, said between 100 and 200ml of the 0157 strain of E.coli landed on the floor as it was being placed in the waste at the HPA's Centre for Infections in Colindale, north London. The E.coli 0157 bacterium can cause food poisoning in humans who eat contaminated products.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At City of London Magistrates' Court yesterday, the HPA pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in relation to the incident in October 2007.

The case was referred to the Old Bailey for sentencing at a later date.

The HPA is an independent organisation set up by the Government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards.

A spokesman for the HPA said: "The agency co-operated fully with the HSE's investigation and pleaded guilty to the offence at the earliest opportunity.

"In view of the fact that the case is ongoing it would be inappropriate for the agency to comment further at this stage."