Cleaning company fined for safety violations in Kuopio, Finland

The North Savonia District Court has imposed fines on a cleaning company based in Kuopio and its CEO for workplace safety violations. The company was also ordered to pay damages.

In November 2021, an employee suffered an accident involving the spillage of cleaning agents that burned his skin, resulting in approximately two months of disability and permanent cosmetic damage. The worker was cleaning a former sausage factory in Kuopio and was not provided with the protective clothing, face mask, and boots required by safety regulations. Additionally, the training for another employee was similarly inadequate.

The court found that the accident was caused by neglect, which a workplace safety inspector had already flagged to the employer on two occasions prior to the incident. The inspectors had advised the company on the creation of a chemical inventory, the identification of hazards posed by the chemicals used, and the preparation of written risk assessments, following inspections conducted in June and July 2017, and again in January 2022.

In its ruling, the court stated that the CEO, who is also the company owner, had seriously endangered the safety and health of employees. He was fined the equivalent of 30 daily rates, totaling 1,000 euros including a crime victim compensation fee.

The company was additionally fined a corporate penalty for serious neglects occurring in its operations over several years, despite the guidance provided by inspectors. Taking into account the company’s financial situation, the court determined a fair corporate penalty amount of 2,000 euros. The company must also pay an 800-euro crime victim compensation fee. Furthermore, it was ordered to compensate the injured employee and cover legal costs, amounting to around 10,000 euros.