Guardian: London Underground workers exposed to asbestos for 20 years without required masks
Documents reveal TfL managers admitted face-fitted masks weren't issued until 2020, despite legal requirements since 2002.
What to know
- TfL failed to issue legally required face-fitted masks to London Underground workers for nearly two decades (2002–2020), exposing hundreds to asbestos-contaminated dust.
- Internal emails and meeting minutes show multiple TfL managers admitted the safety failures; one stated tests for asbestos sampling—also legally required—were never conducted.
- The disclosure emerged via employment tribunal documents from former cleaner Micky Steeds' unfair dismissal claim; TfL has already paid £7m+ in asbestos compensation and faces additional legal liability.
- TfL maintains current controls are adequate and dust levels are below legal limits, but workers dispute this, noting tests were not performed during active asbestos disturbance.
“We would just carry on and use common sense … don't bash cables and do what you can.”
Experienced London Underground cleaner, Cleaner · The Guardian ↗ · Sep 11
Transport for London (TfL) London Underground operatorMicky Steeds Former London Underground cleanerCatriona Ratcliffe Personal injury solicitor, LeighDay
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
-
1
Guardian publishes tribunal documents showing 20-year safety breach at TfL
Documents disclosed during employment tribunal proceedings of former cleaner Micky Steeds reveal that TfL managers admitted for nearly 20 years they failed to issue legally required face-fitted masks. TfL has already paid over £7m in asbestos-related compensation and faces risk of further expensive legal claims. Documents show more than 20,000 asbestos-containing materials recorded across the network.
“Where the asbestos materials are damaged or in poor condition, the risk of exposure is higher because there is more opportunity for the fibres to be released into the atmosphere.”
— Catriona Ratcliffe, solicitor, LeighDay -
background
Manager admits required asbestos sampling was never conducted — A TfL manager's email reveals that asbestos dust fibre sampling, which is required under law, was not conducted.
-
background
TfL claims asbestos dust levels remain below legal workplace limits — A senior engineer responsible for hazardous materials says test results showed levels were below relevant workplace exposure limits, though dust being cleaned contained traces of asbestos fibre occasionally. Workers note tests were not conducted while asbestos was being cleaned and disturbed.
-
background
Head of lifts and escalators admits staff worked without required face protection — A manager states in meeting minutes that face-fitted masks were not introduced to London Underground's civils teams until late 2020, acknowledging that staff should not have worked without them.
-
background
Manager acknowledges oversight of worker lacking face-fitted mask — An email from a TfL manager states that allowing Micky Steeds to continue working without a face-fitted mask was an oversight that would be rectified in future.
-
background
UK asbestos safety rules take effect requiring face-fitted masks — Regulations on controlling asbestos and other hazardous materials establish that employers must ensure exposed workers are given individually fitted face masks to prevent inhalation of toxic dust.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
-
first by The Guardian, 13d ago · also Guardian