After the recent prosecution of Tracel Ltd in Bedfordshire we are reminded that employers owe a legal duty to their employees under UK health and safety law. It also highlights how workers exposed to hazardous substances, such as metalworking fluids, may be entitled to claim compensation if employer negligence leads to illness or injury. For those affected, making a claim through a solicitor who works on a no win, no fee basis provides a straightforward and accessible route to justice.
What Happened: A Serious Health and Safety Failure
In July 2022, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out a routine inspection at Tracel Ltd, trading as The Engineering Quest. Inspectors identified dangerous failings in how the company managed metalworking fluids used in CNC machines. These fluids, if not properly monitored and controlled, can cause long‑term health problems including dermatitis, asthma and other respiratory conditions.
The HSE issued legal Improvement Notices which required the company to:
- Carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment
- Put proper testing and monitoring procedures in place
- Identify the specific hazards posed by metalworking fluids
- Take steps to reduce or prevent the inhalation of airborne mist
When inspectors returned, Tracel Ltd had not implemented the recommendations. Fluid testing remained inadequate, bacterial contamination was not addressed and no appropriate measures were taken to limit worker exposure.
As a result, the company was not compliant and was prosecuted for breaches of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In January 2026, they were fined £27,200 and ordered to pay £30,000 in costs.
Employer Duties Under English and Welsh Health & Safety Law
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, every employer must take reasonable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees. In practice, this means:
- Identifying and Assessing Risks
Employers must carry out a thorough risk assessment of any hazardous substance, including metalworking fluids, and must understand the health risks associated with exposure.
- Preventing or Adequately Controlling Exposure
Under COSHH, employers must take practical steps to reduce exposure, such as local exhaust ventilation, closed systems, provision of correct PPE and fluid monitoring.
- Maintaining Safe Systems of Work
Regular testing, bacterial checks and maintenance of fluid quality are essential to prevent inhalation or skin contact risks.
- Acting on HSE Notices
An Improvement Notice is not optional. Failing to act can lead to prosecution, fines, reputational damage and, most importantly, preventable harm to workers.
The Tracel case demonstrates how failures in these duties can place employees at unnecessary risk of life‑changing illness.
Your Right to Claim Compensation After Employer Negligence
If you are exposed to hazardous substances at work because your employer failed to follow health and safety law, and you develop dermatitis, asthma or any respiratory or skin condition as a result, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
A successful claim can help you recover:
- Compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Loss of earnings
- Medical costs
- Future treatment or rehabilitation
Claims are not about punishing your employer; they are about securing the support you need to rebuild your health and protect your future.
No Win, No Fee Support for Workplace Illness Claims
Worries about legal costs can prevent many people from pursuing a claim for compensation, but most workplace illness cases can be made on a no win, no fee basis. This means:
- No upfront/backend costs
- You do not pay anything if the claim is not successful
- Complete transparency from the outset
This provides peace of mind and ensures that anyone harmed by employer negligence can seek justice.
Let Ison Harrison Solicitors Help
If you’ve suffered illness caused by unsafe working conditions, inadequate COSHH controls or exposure to metalworking fluids, our expert personal injury team is here to help. Ison Harrison is a trusted, firm with a strong track record of securing compensation for injured workers.
Contact Ison Harrison Solicitors today for a free, no‑obligation consultation. We’re here to stand by you and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call us on 0113 284 5000 or email pi@isonharrison.co.uk
