Articles On: Work-related Illness, Disease & Ill-health

Manchester Workers Exposed to Asbestos Risk by Employer

Posted: 28 August 2025

Posted in:  Asbestos-related Illness & Diseases, Asbestosis, Construction & Building, Mesothelioma, North West England

A construction firm based in Manchester — A1 Property Maintenance Management Limited — has received a fine after their workers were exposed to asbestos whilst on a construction project at the former Unicorn Public House located on Liverpool Road in Eccles. During a standard visit to the Unicorn Pub on 16 May 2022, an HSE inspector found illegal removal of 12 square metres of Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB) in the dumb waiter lift shaft. As a result, a prohibition notice was issued, halting all work until an asbestos survey could…

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HSE Looks to Bring Down Occupational Lung Disease Rates by Tackling Wood Dust Exposure

Posted: 6 April 2022

Posted in:  Manufacturing, Occupational Asthma, Work-related Illness, Disease & Ill-health, Work-related Lung Disease

The HSE has begun inspecting businesses across the UK that work with wood to reduce the rates of Occupational Lung Disease – caused by wood dust – one of the deadliest industrial diseases affecting UK workers. Woodworking companies, such as those operating sawmills, manufacturing composite wood board and carpenters are all likely to have an inspection in the near future, with a particular focus on those with wood dust exposure. Such exposure tends to lead to a high rate of occupational asthma – as well as aggravated existing asthma –…

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Unlicensed removal of Asbestos results in fine for printing company directors

Posted: 25 January 2022

Posted in:  Asbestos-related Illness & Diseases, Manufacturing, Work-related Illness, Disease & Ill-health, Work-related Lung Disease

Two directors of printing company D&M Heritage Ltd have been fined for breaching Asbestos health and safety regulations. In 2016, Charles Dunn and Jeremy Mills organised the removal of Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB) using untrained staff, resulting in the spread of dangerous Asbestos fibres. Dunn and Mills were made aware by a licensed Asbestos removal company that the freestanding cupboards in their rented warehouse contained AIB in both the doors and backing. The backing was broken, and D&M Heritage had agreed to remove them, after being given notice by their…

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Unprotected exposure to vibrating tools leaves 30 employees with life changing hand injuries

Posted: 13 January 2022

Posted in:  Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), Retail, Wholesale & Vehicle Repair, Work-related Illness, Disease & Ill-health

A glazing company based in High Wycombe has been fined for failing to assess the risks posed to employees who use vibrating tools. They have left a significant portion of their technicians with permanent injuries to their hands in the form of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). The company in question, PSV Glass & Glazing LTD, fits and repairs windows of large vehicles, such as trains and buses. As part of their role, employees used as special type of saw, often referred to as “Fein Cutters.” They were used to…

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Seriously Poor Working Conditions for Factory Workers in India Supplying Major UK High Street Retailers

Posted: 23 November 2020

Posted in:  Retail, Wholesale & Vehicle Repair, Work-related Illness, Disease & Ill-health

Overworking, low-pay, abusive management and a lack of breaks are just some of the unfair working conditions these women in India making clothing for Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer and Ralph Lauren are experiencing. When we think of poor working conditions in the UK, we tend to think about bad bosses, dealing with difficult customers or uncomfortable chairs; to name some common frustrations. In this respect we are very, very lucky. It’s often easy to forget that a high standard of living, fair wages and a commitment to employee wellbeing…

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