Work-related disease and illness claims
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is the inflammation of the skin caused by contact with a range of materials such as oils, chemicals, detergents and greasers.
It can affect any part of the body but hands are the most commonly affected area. It can cause the skin to be cracked, blistered, inflamed, dry and itchy.
Workers who may be affected by this condition include those in the construction, metal and chemical industries, hairdressers, caterers, printers, painters, cleaners and caterers.
Employers are governed by a number of regulations to ensure that their workers are protected from hazards which may cause dermatitis. This includes providing suitable personal protective equipment such as gloves, overall and boots.
Occupational asthma
Occupational asthma is a chest disease causing airways to narrow making it harder to breathe. It's the result of inhaling dusts, vapours, gasses, mists, cleaning fluids or fumes in the workplace.
Workers may experience sneezing, wheezing, coughs, chest tightness or difficulty breathing. A pre-existing asthmatic condition may also be aggravated due to work exposure. When the exposure has been extreme, for example taking place over a long period of time, it can result in chronic asthma.
The symptoms from chronic asthma can be severe and a person is less likely to respond to medication even once the exposure has stopped. There are regulations in place to ensure that employers monitor employees exposed to substances that may cause occupational asthma.
Occupational deafness and tinnitus
Occupational/industrial deafness is triggered by exposure to excessive levels of noise in a work environment without any or any adequate ear protection.
In many cases hearing loss will be caused by exposure to substantial noise over a significant period of time, whilst in others this exposure need not be long-term – a short burst of very high levels of noise may cause damage.
Those who use power tools are particularly vulnerable, for example construction workers or people who work with metal, stone, wood, drills, or in quarries, on a frequent basis. In addition, workers in industries using machinery – textiles, transport, farming or the music and entertainment industry – can also be affected.
Hearing loss is generally irreversible, but symptoms can be helped by the use of hearing aids.
Tinnitus can develop either on its own or in conjunction with hearing loss. Tinnitus is a condition in which the sufferer hears a noise which usually takes the form of a whistling or buzzing sound in one or both ears. It may be continuous or intermittent often making sleep difficult for the sufferer, and can potentially affect quality of life. This can also result in the sufferer experiencing psychological symptoms such as anxiety and stress.
In some cases a masking device can be used to help to reduce the intensity of the whistling or buzzing sound.
The Noise at Work Regulations impose duties on employers to monitor levels of noise at work and provide ear defenders where the noise is above certain levels.
Vibration white finger/carpal tunnel syndrome
Symptoms of vibration white finger include numbness, tingling sensations, pain and aching in the fingers.
It can be caused by exposure to negligent levels of vibration in the workplace. In particular, exposure can arise from the use of pneumatic drills, chainsaws, power drills, rock drills and vibrating plates. It is most commonly found in those working in the construction and engineering industries and also in road and forestry workers.
Employers have a responsibility to provide training, safety equipment and regular breaks to their employees, as well as ensuring that equipment is regularly maintained.
Once symptoms have developed they are likely to continue until the use of vibrating equipment has ceased. Generally, for two years after the exposure has stopped the symptoms may deteriorate further.
Related conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome and hand arm vibration syndrome, which can also be caused by exposure to excessive levels of vibrating tools as well as from heavy lifting and excessive and repetitive movements.
Again, employers are under duties to reduce their employee's exposure to vibration and unsafe systems of work.
Work-related stress
Employers have a duty to protect their employees' health and safety at work, and this includes their mental health.
Stress at work can be caused by a number of different factors such as workload pressures or changes in workloads. If it was reasonably foreseeable to the employer that a person would suffer from the symptoms of stress in these circumstances they have a duty to take reasonable steps to reduce that stress.
Bullying and harassment can also be the cause of work-related stress.
As a result of being exposed to such stress it can lead to employees suffering depression or post-raumatic stress disorders.
All documents should be read and used in accordance with the terms and conditions. This document is for your general information only and is not a detailed statement of the law. It is provided to you free of charge and should not be used as a substitute for specific legal advice. If you require specific legal advice please contact our helpline on 03700 86 86 86.
