Skip workers exposed to cancer-causing fumes

A skip company has been fined £30,000 after its employees were exposed to cancer-causing fumes, leaving them at risk of becoming "seriously ill".

Samson Containers Ltd, in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, was found guilty of exposing their workers to carcinogenic welding fumes without ventilation or protective equipment.

Despite being served with Enforcement Notices on two occasions in 2024 and 2025, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said Samson Containers failed to put adequate measures in place to protect their employees.

The skip manufacturer was also ordered to pay £4,571 in costs and a victim surcharge of £2,000 at Warrington Magistrates' Court.

Inspectors also found the company failed to meet its duty to monitor the health of workers exposed to high levels of noise, risking long-term harm.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer advises that exposure to mild steel welding fumes can cause lung cancer and possibly kidney cancer.

The agency says to control the risk, suitable ventilation must be present.

Where this ventilation does not adequately control exposure, respiratory protective equipment should be provided.

HSE Inspector Gemma Feerick said: "This was a company that put its workers at risk of serious, long-term health conditions because it repeatedly failed to get the basics right – even when expressly served with notices to put proper controls in place.

"These fines should send a clear message that HSE takes failure to comply with enforcement notices extremely seriously and will act against companies and individuals who fail to protect the health and safety of their employees."

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