Foundry Worker Wins £35,000 for Occupational Lung Disease

A foundry worker who developed respiratory illness as a result of inhaling silica particles has won £35,000 in damages.

The unnamed man worked in a foundry which generated large quantities of dust. There was an extraction system, but it frequently broke down or failed to work effectively. The man also had the task of emptying and cleaning the system when necessary.

Although the employer now provides its workers with air-fed masks, for most of the time the man was working at the foundry the only protection made available was paper masks, and these would quickly become thick with dust and needed to be changed several times a day.

Eventually, the man developed various permanent respiratory illnesses, including emphysema and silicosis, which restrict his ability to breathe efficiently and cause him to suffer from chest pain. As a result of his condition, he has been forced to change his occupation and take a lower paid job.

A claim for compensation was brought against the employer on the ground that it had not fulfilled its duty to reduce the risk of injury to workers. Specifically, it had failed to provide adequate protective equipment to counter the effects of the working conditions.

The employer initially denied any liability for the man’s condition but, after court proceedings had been initiated, it agreed to settle the claim for £35,000.