Public liability insurance customers have been given a reminder about keeping hazardous materials safely, after a government body was given a crown censure.
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in Suffolk accepted the censure, which is the equivalent of a prosecution for a government body, after it breached rules of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.
Investigations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2007 found that the laboratory in Lowestoft had certain failings in the assessment and control of substances.
HSE inspector Steven Gill said that the case highlighted the need for employers to properly manage dangerous substances and to protect the workforce.
"This applies to government agencies like Cefas as much as it does to any other employer," he added.
Earlier this year, Prysmian Cables and Systems of Southampton was fined over £25,000 after managers failed to control the risk of exposing employees to hazardous substances, including a known skin irritant.