Workers Suffer Mild Irritant Effects
Serious concerns raised over printing ink that caused Royal Mail sorting office staff to feel unwell need to be addressed quickly, a workplace illness specialist at Irwin Mitchell has urged.
Strathclyde Fire & Rescue sent their environmental protection and monitoring services to the Royal Mail’s Kirkintilloch site last week after workers complained about feeling unwell following the handling of some leaflets.
An evacuation was completed before a fire officer and chemical adviser entered the building in specialist suits to collect samples and discovered that vapour from printing ink was the cause of the problem.
Some workers suffered mild irritant effects in the incident, although no one involved needed hospital treatment.
Elaine Russell, a workplace injury and illness specialist at Irwin Mitchell’s Glasgow office, said: “While we welcome the emergency services’ reaction to this incident, it is clear there are serious questions that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
“For the sake of all of those involved, it is clear that information is needed on whether the ink used on the documents is completely safe and if any safety measures are required over its handling.
“Ultimately, it is vital that the safety of the substance can be confirmed and that investigations will ensure no one else suffers similar problems, or even worse, in the future.”