We have previously read reports about battery plants and several companies in the battery industry allegedly seeking to evade Hungarian regulations, doing so with political backing and, when all else failed, simply paying derisory fines. The action taken over the latest incident at CATL’s Debrecen battery plant, however, could be good news for the workers there and their colleagues elsewhere in the sector. That is so even if, judging by the available evidence, the company appears to have made a serious mistake over personal protective equipment — and that mistake appears to have caused the problem.
Serious poisoning at Debrecen battery plant — but the factory reported it itself
Work has been suspended in three production areas at CATL’s Debrecen battery plant after elevated nickel exposure was identified in a total of nine employees. An official inspection found that the company had failed to provide the required personal protective equipment properly and in full. Proceedings have also been launched with a view to imposing a fine. Enikő Tompa, the Tisza Party’s MP for the area, has been particularly active in the case.
The incident came to light after CATL Hungary Kft reported seven cases to the occupational safety authority on August 10, followed by a further two on August 13. The company then began the necessary investigation. According to information obtained by Debreciner, elevated nickel levels were detected in several cases during mandatory biological exposure monitoring involving more than 400 employees.
The good news, at any rate, is that the company did not attempt to cover up the incident but followed the appropriate procedure. This could prove important for the remaining 391 employees, particularly in light of previous cases in which companies opted to pay a fine while continuing to expose Hungarian and guest workers to danger.
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The Mikepércs Mothers for the Environment Association previously reported that, according to information in its possession, a cathode-powder spill may have occurred at the plant, sending heavy metals into the air. The civic group claimed that nickel and cobalt levels in some workers may have reached several times the permitted limit, and said it had also received reports of exposure to chromium and lithium.
These claims, however, have not been confirmed by the official information currently available. The authorities have formally reported only elevated nickel exposure among nine employees.
Work halted in three areas as substantial fine looms
The occupational safety authority inspected the plant on August 11 and 12. It found that the employer had failed to provide personal protective equipment adequately. As a result, from 10.30am on August 12 until the breaches were rectified, work was prohibited in the cathode- and anode-foil laser-cutting, anode- and cathode-foil winding, and cell-drying areas of the cell-production building.
According to a follow-up inspection carried out by the authority on August 17, CATL had not resumed the suspended activities. Proceedings to impose a fine are nevertheless under way over the breaches.
Enikő Tompa, the local MP, contacted the Ministry of Rural and Settlement Development to request information about the incident. She said that, if the violations were confirmed, CATL could face a substantial fine. She cited the case of SK On in Iváncsa, which was fined 100 million forints for breaches of occupational safety regulations.
Meanwhile, according to government information, the investor was granted an occupancy permit for the first phase of the project on August 25 after remedying the outstanding deficiencies. Permission for the second phase had previously been refused because the completed building had not been shown correctly on the site plan.
Debrecen’s municipal authorities said they had learnt of the incident from the press and had no jurisdiction over the matter. CATL did not respond to Debreciner’s request for comment.
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