Industrial Illness Experts Say Health And Safety Must Be Top Priority For Employers

The family of a former core maker is appealing to his former work colleagues to come forward to help them seek justice after he suffered from debilitating noise induced hearing loss.

Mushtah Ahmed, from Anderton Park Road, in Birmingham sadly died in 2012 from multiple organ failure, pneumonia and lymphoma but suffered from noise induced hearing loss in the final four years of his life after working for two decades as a Machine Operator in the West Midlands.

It is thought that Mushtah, 59, was exposed to industrial noise while working as a Machine Operator in the Core Shop at Duport Harper at Sedgeley Road East in Tipton, from 1979 to 1999. He operated the Core machine. The company has since ceased trading.

His wife, Manzoor Begum, instructed noise induced hearing loss experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate the working conditions at Duport Harper and to find out why precautions were not taken to ensure that the worker’s health and safety was protected.

He first began to notice symptoms of hearing loss in around 2008. It has affected his everyday life. He would have to turn the television up much louder to be able to hear it and he found social situations difficult as often cannot hear what people are saying and have to ask them to repeat themselves. He also had difficulties with conversations over the phone.

Manzoor said: “Mushtah really struggled with his hearing for several years up until he passed away at the end of last year. He found it difficult having conversations and often had to ask people to repeat themselves. He also had trouble hearing the television and telephone ring.

“I would urge anyone who knew or worked with Mushtah to come forward with any information about the working conditions as we continue to seek justice for him as to why more was done to protect him whilst he was at work.”

Anyone who worked at Duport Harper at the Sedgeley Road East site in Tipton are asked to contact Mark Allen at Irwin Mitchell solicitors on 0370 1500 100 or email mark.allen@irwinmitchell.com. 

If you or a loved one has suffered from hearing damage such as acoustic shock, tinnitus, and noise-induced hearing loss caused by conditions at work our solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Industrial Disease Claims page for more information.