A South Yorkshire man who passed out after breathing in toxic gas fumes at work has won £3,760 in work accident compensation.
Eric Drummond, aged 64, from Brinsworth, Rotherham, was working as a paint mixer at Rotherham Refinishing Supplies when he breathed in a combination of four chemicals that had been mixed to make a paste for an under floor heating system. He started to feel ill after taking off his mask when he’d finished the job.
Mr Drummond said that after he finished mixing the paste he took off his mask and felt a sharp pain in his stomach, and dizziness. He then passed out three times, and colleagues called an ambulance. Medics at Rotherham Hospital told him that inhaling the fumes had also left traces of the chemicals in his blood, and he continued to feel the effects even after he was discharged.
Mr Drummond had to take almost three months off work after the incident. He was awarded £3,760 to cover his injuries and loss of earnings after the company admitted liability for the incident.
Injury solicitors in the area have called on all companies to ensure that they provide staff adequate ventilation for when they are working with potentially dangerous chemicals.
Louise Morgan, personal injury specialist, said that although Mr Drummond had made a full recovery, he had nevertheless inhaled fumes from potentially very dangerous chemicals. She added that toxic fumes can cause lasting damage and their dangers should not be underestimated.
