London Underground staff lacked mandatory asbestos masks for years, report says

The short version

• Internal records disclose that hundreds of London Underground employees may have been exposed to asbestos without mandatory fitted masks for nearly two decades.[The Guardian]
• Internal correspondence suggests management failed to distribute required face-fitted masks until late 2020 and omitted legally mandated dust sampling.[The Guardian]
• The documents came to light in an unfair dismissal tribunal won by a former cleaner who raised toxic dust concerns.[The Guardian]
• Transport for London maintains it uses strict controls to prevent exposure, though it previously paid over £7 million in related claims.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• Internal records indicate hundreds of London Underground workers may have faced asbestos exposure for nearly 20 years without mandated protective masks.[The Guardian]
• Managerial records show face-fitted masks were not issued to staff until late 2020, and required dust sampling was previously skipped.[The Guardian]
• The disclosures surfaced during an employment tribunal that found former cleaner Micky Steeds was unfairly dismissed after raising safety complaints.[The Guardian]
• Transport for London has paid more than £7 million in asbestos-related legal fees and compensation.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• London Underground workers exposed to asbestos without protective masks, documents revealThe Guardian - World