London Underground staff may have worked for years without required asbestos masks
Documents show that many London Underground workers were not provided legally required, individually fitted respirators for up to two decades, exposing them to asbestos dust.
Records indicate that Transport for London failed to supply individually fitted respiratory masks to hundreds of underground staff for almost 20 years, breaching 2002 asbestos-control rules. Emails and minutes show managers acknowledging that masks were only introduced to civil and cleaning crews in late 2020, and that sampling of asbestos dust was not carried out as required. The issue came to light during an employment tribunal where former cleaner Micky Steeds successfully challenged his unfair dismissal after reporting the hazard.
TfL has already disbursed over £7 million in related compensation and legal fees and could face additional lawsuits. A solicitor from LeighDay warned that prolonged low-level exposure could increase future claims, citing a recent six-figure settlement for a mesothelioma case. TfL maintains that it has strict controls and monitoring in place, but declined further comment while appealing the tribunal ruling.
Why it matters
Workers may have been exposed to dangerous asbestos for years, raising health risks and potential legal liabilities for a major public transport operator.
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