Drink culture on night shift?

A FACTORY has been questioned over allegations of a drink and drugs culture after a night shift worker was found dead.

Paul Britain (47), of Ninth Avenue, Limeside, died at Ferguson Polycom Ltd, in Manchester Road, Hollinwood, last October.

An inquest heard yesterday how Mr Britain, described as a proud and doting father-of-two, changed significantly following the death of his mother in June, 2002 and moved out of the family home in 2003.

A post-mortem examination found scarring on Mr Britain’s heart, but no evidence of a heart attack.

Tests found alcohol in his system equating to three times the legal drink-drive limit, as well as cocaine and diltiazem — used to treate high blood pressure and angina, but also found in illicit cocaine. The cause of death was given as cardiac arrhythmia caused by the scarring, in turn caused by the use of cocaine.

His wife Julie said she had put his change of character down to the death of his mum but it had also co-incided with him starting back at work.

She said: “I’m quite concerned about the level of alcohol and cocaine where someone is actually working a shift in a company.

“There has got to be someone on duty that realised someone isn’t fit for work at that stage.”

Mrs Britain claimed she had been told that management were aware of a drinking culture during the night shift and had even cleared up after workers who finished at 6am.

But general manager Matthew Whitworth said there was no sign of drinking on the night Mr Britain died. “I’m aware of the rumours but I’ve not been fortunate, or unfortunate, enough to catch anyone,” he said.

“Guys are on forklift trucks, it’s hazardous. Management would not have condoned drinking.”

Recording a verdict of misadventure, Oldham coroner Simon Nelson said: “I’m as confident as I can be the company would not condone the use of drugs and alcohol on the premises.”