News and Knowledge

Nearly 150 people diagnosed with incurable asbestos-related cancer in Yorkshire

Almost 150 people across Yorkshire have been diagnosed with an ‘incurable’ lung cancer – which is usually linked to asbestos in the last five years.   A Freedom of Information request from the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has revealed how many people were diagnosed in the area between 2019 and 2023.…

High Court Ruling allows 3,000+ Military claims to be made on a single form

Thanks to a new High Court ruling, it is now possible for 3,000 or more ex-military service personnel to submit a claim against the Ministry of Defence on one single form.   Mr. Justice Andrew Baker and Lord Justice Dingemans upheld an Abbott v MoD appeal, stating that a single group claim was permissible subject…

Sheffield company fined £200,000 after failing to protect employees from permanent condition

Sheffield company fined £200,000 after failing to protect employees from permanent condition.   A manufacturing company in Sheffield has been fined £200,000 after two workers suffered the life- changing condition, vibration white finger.     Ross & Catherall Limited is a company which manufactures and supplies metal bars for the aerospace and automotive industries. The…

Are women in certain professions at higher risk of ovarian cancer?

It is said by the Occupational & Environmental Medicine (OEM) that those working as hairdressers, barbers and beauticians are most likely to develop ovarian cancer.   Also, those working in sales, retail, clothing and construction can also be vulnerable, as they can be exposed to agents, including talcum powder, ammonia, propellant gases, petrol and bleach.…

City Council fined £200,000 after failing to protect workers

Plymouth City Council has been fined £200,000 after its failures led to two employees developing hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).   Plymouth City Council failed in its legal duty to comply with legislation even though guidance has been available for employers since 2005. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that between 2005…

Company fined for putting workers at risk of radiation exposure

In 2009, a company called Terrill Bros was fined after putting their employees at risk of exposure to ionizing radiation over a 10-year long period.   Terrill Bros. Limited’s external radiation protection adviser (RPA) Found failings in the access controls and warning systems at the company’s foundry on Guilford Road, Hayle, Cornwall. Within the 10-year…

Classroom asbestos – 10,000 pupils and teachers have died in 40 years

It has recently been confirmed that about 10,000 pupils and teachers have died due to asbestos in schools within the last four decades.   Figures were produced by the Joint Asbestos Committee, revealing that the large number of deaths have been caused by toxic asbestos-containing material used in classrooms and school settings between the decades…

Thousands of Group Litigation Order Military Claims suitable for issue using a single claim form

The High Court has ruled that there is no need to issue multiple claim forms in cases brought by over 3,000 ex-service personnel for Noise Induced Hearing Loss against the Ministry of Defence.   The Court held that so long as all Claimants on the claim form had ‘sufficient commonality’ in relation to the issues…

London joinery firm fined £20,000 for failing to control wood dust

F&E Joinery limited, a company in southeast London, was fined £20,000 for failing to control employees’ exposure to wood dust.   In May 2022, F&E limited was inspected as a result of a health and safety executive (HSE) campaign that targeted woodworking businesses due to the significant health risks associated with wood dust. One of…

HSE safety notice: high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in cargo and slop tanks

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has identified high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in cargo and slop tanks onboard some FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) and FSUs (Floating Storage Units) operating in UKCS.   The concentration levels are up to 16,000ppm and this is above the measuring limits of the standard portable gas monitoring…