A battery plant in Iváncsa, central Hungary, has been fined HUF 100 million (around EUR 275,000) after an official inspection uncovered serious occupational safety shortcomings that authorities said directly endangered the health and physical safety of 65 employees.

The fine was imposed on SK On Hungary, which operates the battery factory, on 13 August. Authorities described the penalty as the maximum permitted under Hungarian law.

Mandatory air pollution checks were missed in the battery plant

According to the inspection findings, the company had failed to carry out the mandatory annual workplace air pollution measurement in the plant’s Assembly area since August 2024.

The most recent available measurement had already detected nickel concentrations above the permitted limit. Authorities said the finding had not been properly taken into account when determining the necessary preventive measures.

Nickel is classified as a carcinogenic substance, making the failure to address the elevated exposure particularly serious for workers.

Protective equipment was also found to be inadequate

The inspection also found shortcomings in the protective equipment provided to employees handling hazardous mixtures. According to the findings, workers should have been provided with P3 respiratory protection and gloves suitable for protection against chemical substances. Instead, they had been instructed to use FFP2 masks and latex gloves.

Authorities also found that the factory did not adequately separate contaminated work clothing from clean outdoor clothing. The lack of a so-called black-and-white changing room increased the risk of secondary exposure, whereby hazardous substances can be carried beyond the immediate workplace on contaminated clothing, footwear or surfaces.

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59 workers reportedly exposed to elevated nickel levels

According to information cited by HR Portal, increased nickel exposure exceeding the statutory limit was identified in 59 employees between 2022 and 2026.

The cases were reportedly not notified to the occupational safety authority by the employer and were not investigated as required. The authorities said the shortcomings posed a serious and direct threat to employees’ health and safety.

Company says it has taken corrective action

SK On Hungary said it takes the findings of the occupational safety authority seriously and regretted any concern the case may have caused among employees and the local community.

The company said it had taken the necessary measures following the inspection and reviewed and strengthened its safety management practices, including workplace inspections and the use of personal protective equipment. It also pledged to continue cooperating closely and transparently with the relevant authorities.

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