A Fife firm was served a prohibition notice over failures to protect employees from dangerous radiation.
Pfaudler in Leven is understood to have taken immediate action over issues raised by the Health and Safety Executive relating to an X-ray enclosure at the River Side plant.
An immediate prohibition notice imposed by the HSE said Pfaudler had “failed to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the premises are safe and without risk to health.”
Improvement notices were served requiring Pfaudler to take action over insufficient risk assessments and its failure to install safety features at the X-ray enclosure.
The global company, which manufactures vessels for the pharmaceutical industry, was also rapped for its lack of effective planning and monitoring to ensure compliance with radiation regulations at the Leven plant.
It followed what is understood to have been a routine visit by HSE inspectors.
The HSE told Pfaudler: “You have failed to make and give effect to such arrangements as are appropriate, having regard to the nature of your activities and the size of your undertaking, for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of the preventive and protective measures required to ensure compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017.”
GMB Scotland organiser Alan Ritchie said there had been no suggestion that any workers at the plant had been exposed to excessive radiation.
And he said he was confident Pfaudler had taken the HSE notices “very seriously”.
He added: “What they’re saying is that the HSE had been in and raised a couple of points regarding Covid-19 and the X-ray machine, and they said that there were certain recommendations from the HSE and they put them into effect immediately.
“As far as they’re concerned the HSE is quite happy with the situation.”
Mr Ritchie said the trade union’s steward at Pfaudler Leven was looking into the matter further.
“I have got concerns that the HSE has raised this and we’re going to make sure that all the proper health and safety precautions are put in place,” he said.
Pfaudler manufactures mixing drums used in the preparation of prescription drugs and has sites in Europe, the US and Mexico.
The X-ray equipment at Leven is vital for checking for air pockets in welded sections.
“They’ve got to pass stringent welding levels and that’s why the X-ray has got to be done, to make sure that they are reaching that level,” said Mr Ritchie.
“It’s a crucial part of the work that Pfaudler Balfour does.
“It’s one of the leading companies in what they do for the pharmaceutical companies, especially just now.”
Pfaudler was contacted for comment but has yet to respond.
