Workplace Asthma Compensation for Coach Builder

Using Strong Primers at Work

Once the van was stripped out, James had to use a glue primer – this needed to be used with thick gloves and a toxic fume mask and applied to the floor of the van and also to the aluminium being fitted into the van. Once the primer was applied, the glue was put onto both surfaces and then left to set for 24 hours.

The smell was very strong and impossible to avoid as James had to continue working on the van and there was no extraction to remove the strong smell.

The vans were on a production line, with about 30 in a line. James continued to work on these vans during his eight hour shift and he would move from van to van. The area James worked in was about half the size of a football pitch and the only extraction was in the roof, which was 40ft in the air.

James also regularly used handheld sanders along with a jigsaw to cut through MDF – both tools created a lot of dust.

James Asked For a Mask

James did ask his employer for an air fed mask – this is a battery operated fan that gives you clean air by stopping particles from passing through the filter – this was noted in his occupational health records in 2016, but he wasn’t given one.

Asthma Symptoms

In 2016, James developed a tickly cough which didn’t go away. He was also wheezing and his chest felt tight and he also had a blocked nose.

During his annual health check in late 2016, the occupational nurse noted his lung function had reduced and he was told to see his GP.

He saw his GP in early 2017 and he was sent for a chest x-ray, which was normal.

James was then referred to a Respiratory Consultant at his local hospital and was diagnosed with asthma and allergic rhinitis and was prescribed inhalers and nasal sprays to try to control his symptoms.

James told his employer about his diagnosis but they didn’t monitor his work or exposure, but he did refuse to continue to weld.

James left his job in 2018.