Working in the car industry involves manual labour, day in day out, and for many mechanics this puts strain on their bodies – particularly their knees and their backs. For this reason, manual handling injuries are commonly incurred when working in motor vehicle repair. Specialist machinery such as engine hoists is imperative to reduce the risk of injury in the workplace. Employers should train their employees in the use of the relevant machinery and in safe manual handling techniques. If employers do not fulfil their health and safety obligations to protect their employees in the workplace, they may be liable for their employees’ injuries. In this case, the employee would be within their rights to claim for work injury compensation from their employers.
A lesser known danger of working in motor vehicle repair is asbestos. Asbestos used to be contained within many car parts including brakes, clutches, automatic gearboxes and engines. Although the Basel Convention addressed the issue of asbestos and the movement of it between countries due to its highly detrimental effects, car parts containing asbestos do still surface from time to time. It is now illegal to trade or fit asbestos containing parts to a motor vehicle.
For mechanics working before the ban on asbestos, asbestos was a real health risk. Even now, asbestos containing parts do surface, albeit rarely. When inhaled, asbestos causes damage to an individual’s lungs. Asbestos has most commonly been linked to:
Two forms of cancer –
1. Asbestos related lung cancer
2. Mesothelioma – a cancer which mostly effects the lungs’ lining.
Two non-cancerous diseases –
1. Asbestosis
2. Non malignant pleural disease
All four of these health problems have the potential to be fatal, therefore the government’s health and safety executive has therefore offered up some guidelines to mechanics as to how to deal with asbestos parts safely. When asbestos-containing parts are removed, the biggest risk is that of dust. Asbestos dust is the danger, as this is the way the substance damages an individual’s lungs. Therefore the government advises workers to use specialist equipment which prevents dust from escaping when the part is removed and the vehicle is cleaned. The parts must also always be replaced with those which are non-asbestos containing.
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If you have been exposed to asbestos whilst working as a mechanic, and have contracted an asbestos related disease, you may be able to make a claim for compensation from your employers. Contact a specialist industrial disease lawyer today. Call 020 7231 7150 or fill in an online enquiry for a completely free initial consultation with one of our team.