A former London Underground worker, Micky Steeds, won an unfair dismissal case after whistleblowing about hazardous dust exposure. An employment tribunal found his concerns about asbestos and other toxic substances were genuine and reasonable, and that he was unfairly dismissed for raising them. London Underground plans to appeal.
This case highlights potential health risks for transport workers and the public due to hazardous dust exposure on the London Underground. It also underscores the challenges faced by whistleblowers and the legal protections available to them.
A former London Underground worker, Micky Steeds, has won an unfair dismissal case after whistleblowing about concerns over exposure to asbestos and other toxic dust. Steeds, who worked as a cleaner for London Underground since 2018, described the job as filthy, with dust sometimes so thick he could not see his hands. He raised concerns after discovering the dust could contain dangerous levels of asbestos, chromium, arsenic, silicates, and iron oxide. The employment tribunal heard that for the first 15 months, Steeds was not fitted with a proper protective mask, sometimes using paper masks. He received training on how to deal with asbestos only after cleaning asbestos-sheathed cables for 19 months. Steeds also alerted management that hazardous waste was being disposed of in general waste bags, contrary to regulations. In May, a judge-led tribunal concluded that these complaints constituted protected disclosures, finding Steeds' beliefs to be genuine and reasonable. The tribunal found that London Underground had asbestos reports indicating its presence and potential disturbance by dry cleaning, and had fallen short of demonstrating compliance with hazardous waste disposal regulations. Steeds was dismissed in August 2023 after being signed off work with anxiety, with the tribunal finding he was given an unfair ultimatum to retract his complaints or be dismissed. The panel determined that the reason for dismissal was that Steeds made protected disclosures. London Underground is planning to appeal the judgment.