News and Knowledge

R5 Billion settlement in Gold Miners’ Silicosis Case

A High Court in Johannesburg has approved an R5 billion settlement in the ongoing Silicosis case   The agreement affects workers who contracted Silicosis, a long-term lung disease, during or after their employment in gold mines from 1965. In May, lawyers representing the miners joined forces with mining groups in a bid to get the Court…

The rise of women with Mesothelioma

Latest figures from Cancer Research UK show that, while men account for most cases of Mesothelioma, cases among women rose by 93 per cent between 1993 and 2018 (compared with 47 per cent in men).   Dean Fennell, professor of thoracic medical oncology at the University of Leicester, says, “The proportion of women being diagnosed…

Countertop cutters diagnosed with Silicosis in Los Angeles

30 stone fabricators have been diagnosed with Silicosis since January 2016 in LA.   Making a living cutting and grinding engineered-stone countertops lead to Juan Gozalez Morin and Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez, ages 36 and 32, being diagnosed with Silicosis.     The pair were among 30 countertop fabricators to be diagnosed with the deadly disease.…

Death of two nurses from COVID-19 ruled as Industrial Disease

Two nurses, Gareth Robert 65 of Aberdare and Dominga David 63 of Penarth both contracted COVID-19 whilst employed by the University Hospital of Wales and Llandough Hospital in the early days of the pandemic.   This infection eventually resulted in their deaths, being registered as natural causes at the time. However, senior coroner Graeme Hughes…

HSE worried about increasing reports of HAVS in 2021

A report release in November 2022 by the HSE has shown a dramatic increase in the number of new Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) cases in 2021.   To be particular, there were 300 new cases of HAVS reported in addition to 165 new Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and 255 new cases of Depuytrens Contracture. These…

Ghana miners and dust inhalation

Illegal gold miners in Ghana are suffering life-changing consequences resulting from dust inhalation. In many cases, these complications can remain symptomless for years.   A Ghanaian phrase for the occupation is “Galamsey”; a term which has come from the phrase “gather them and sell”. Within the Galamsey work force are workers tasked with pounding rock…

Dust down under – Australia calls for a ban on engineered stone due to Silicosis

In Australia, young men are being diagnosed with fatal illnesses and given short forecasts for the remainder of their days, according to the press.   News reporters in the land down under have covered the story of Kyle Goodwin, a 37 year old tradie who worked as a stonemason. Like many others who work regularly…

UK failing to manage asbestos

A report into asbestos has recently suggested that “extensive asbestos remediation work is still needed to thousands of buildings across the UK”.   The report jointly produced by the Asbestos Testing and Consultancy (ATaC) Association and the National Organisation of Asbestos Consultants (NORAC) indicated that that asbestos is still present in more than 100,000 buildings…

Dust up north of the border – Elgin Cathedral stonemason awarded £3.5M Silicosis settlement

In Scotland, a stonemason named Gordon Walters has accepted an offer for £3.5 million following a settlement with the Scottish government.   Mr Walters worked on the restoration of Elgin Cathedral back in the 1980s where he helped to renovate and maintain the historical site.     In his work, he was exposed to significant…

Study finds increased risk of asthma attacks following relaxation of COVID restrictions

As many as 5 million people are effected with Asthma in the UK with some 300 million affected globally. Most are use to having to deal with the usual increased worry of winter when it comes to their asthma.   Every Asthma sufferer knows that colds, flu and in particular COVID-9 brings with it not…