Legal Experts React To New Reports Comparing Emissions To Asbestos

Specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have called for concerns related to diesel exhaust fumes to be thoroughly examined, following fresh reports suggesting that a growing number of workers are taking legal action in relation to exposure to the emissions.

The Guardian reports that the Royal Mail Group is among several major employers expected to face action in relation to an alleged failure to prevent staff from being exposed to harmful levels of the fumes, with union officials describing the issue as “like the early days of asbestos”.

Research released by the International Agency for Research in Cancer five years ago found that such exhaust emissions can be dangerous to humans, with other studies raising concerns about vehicles also emitting more fumes than previously thought.

Following the reports, Irwin Mitchell’s Workplace Illness team has urged that further investigations are undertaken into the issue to gain a proper understanding of the risks that some workers are facing and there is a greater awareness in the workplace with a view to preventing the ill-health effects of exposure to diesel fumes.

Adrian Budgen, a Partner and the head of the specialist team at Irwin Mitchell, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Exposure to diesel exhaust emissions is an increasing workplace health and safety issue and a public health issue that affects us all. Many thousands of people die every year in this country and across the world from cancers and respiratory diseases caused by negligent exposures to hazardous substances.

"Bus, car and lorry maintenance engineers, professional bus drivers and lorry drivers and tractor drivers are just some examples of occupations that are exposed to diesel exhaust in the course of their work.

"The likening of the diesel exhaust fumes to asbestos is extremely concerning and worrying as we have seen the fatal consequences of asbestos in the workplace, with around 2,500 people die from asbestos-related diseases every year in the UK.

"Although we are seeing regulatory action in respect of increasing environmental concerns, including tighter emissions standards, considerable hazards to health still remain and this is likely to continue.

“Employers should always regard the health and safety of their workers as an absolute priority, so it is clear that more needs to be done to properly determine the risks which those who work close to vehicles on a daily basis could be facing.

“Lessons clearly have to be learned from the past and, as such, the concerns raised regarding diesel fumes have to be thoroughly scrutinised at the earliest opportunity. This would ensure the issue can be properly examined and ultimately mean that steps can be taken, where necessary, to improve safety standards.” Adrian Budgen - National Head of Asbestos and Occupational Disease