£3,700 for worker who inhaled toxic fumes

A WORKER has received more than £3,500 in compensation after breathing in toxic fumes which made him pass out on three separate occasions and forced him to take almost three months off work.

Eric Drummond, 64, from Brinsworth, Rotherham, was working as a paint mixer at Rotherham Refinishing Supplies, in Parkgate, Rotherham, when he inhaled the toxic fumes.

He had been mixing a combination of four chemicals to make a paste for an underfloor heating system, but began to feel unwell when he removed his mask shortly after completing his work.

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Mr Drummond said: "I finished mixing the paste and took off my mask and gloves as usual, but straight away I got a sharp pain in my stomach and started to feel dizzy.

"The hospital found that the fumes I'd breathed in had left traces of the chemicals in my blood, so even after I was discharged from hospital I continued to suffer for some time."

Mr Drummond had to take a total of 10 weeks off work after the incident last year, and his solicitors negotiated a settlement of 3,760 to cover his injuries and loss of earnings after insurers admitted liability.

Louise Morgan, personal injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield who represented Mr Drummond, said: "Fortunately, on this occasion, Mr Drummond was able to make a full recovery, but working with toxic fumes can cause lasting damage and the dangers should not be underestimated.

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"Employers must make sure they provide adequate ventilation and equipment for anybody who is working with dangerous chemicals or in any other potentially hazardous environment.

"It is an employer's responsibility to make sure they prioritise the welfare of their staff, and health and safety plays a very important role in preventing incidents like this."