The UK Health Protection Agency has been fined after following a spillage of up to one billion doses of E.coli 0157 at one of its laboratories. The incident occurred when waste from a laboratory was spilled while being prepared for sterilization in a laboratory autoclave for processing laboratory waste prior to disposal. This resulted in the potential exposure of staff present to E. coli O157.
Prosecutors at the Old Bailey court said the incident, which occurred in 2007, exposed “general complacency” about the transfer of infectious waste at the HPA centre in Colindale, north London, as well as revealing a lack of risk assessment know-how from staff. It was alleged faulty bins were used to carry the bacteria to a disposal unit and employees were not wearing protective clothing.
The Health Protection Agency was introduced Government in 2003 to protect the public from threats from infectious diseases and environmental hazards.
Judge Martin Stephens said the failings were an “acute embarrassment” for the agency. He fined the body ₤25,000 and also ordered it to pay costs of £20,166. The Health Protection Agency claims that since the spill it had overhauled its health and safety procedures and introduced measures to “reduce the likelihood of a similar incident occurring in future”.