Archive for February, 2008

A British Lung Foundation study has found that trades people and factory workers could be inadvertently putting themselves at risk of asbestos related conditions.

The study spoke to 399 trades people (such as builders, plumbers, carpenters, electricians and gas fitters) of varying ages. Less than a third of them were aware that asbestos exposure can cause cancer, and a similar number thought that most asbestos has been removed from UK buildings. In addition 74% of those surveyed had not been trained to deal with asbestos.

Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation said:
“It is a great worry that those most at risk know so little about it.”
“We want mesothelioma to become a disease of the past, but until people become asbestosis aware and protect themselves against asbestos that goal can’t be reached.”

A train driver has been awarded personal injury compensation due to the collapse of a chair provided by his employer. Martin Syms was taking a break in the canteen when the chair he was sitting on collapsed, causing him to land heavily on his back. As a result of this work accident he suffered back injuries and despite treatment the pain got worse. He could not sit properly due to the pain, which made it impossible for him to continue working as a train driver and he had to retire.

The defective chair was provided by his employer and as result the employer was liable to pay Mr Syms injury compensation.

A January 2008 High Court ruling has removed hopes of securing personal injury compensation for dozens of miners suffering with Vibration White Finger. The case was brought collectively because many former miners had their injury compensation claims rejected by the Government appointed claims handlers under the British Coal VWF Claims Handling Arrangement (CHA). The CHA was set up to pay accident compensation to miners exposed to vibrating tools and machinery while working at coal pits.