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Accidents at work are one of the most common non-fault accidents in the UK, particularly agricultural accidents and construction accidents such as falls from height But it seems that a less familiar work accident hazard, exposure to toxic gasses in the workplace, is also becoming more of a concern. In recent years the media has reported on a number of high-profile cases involving fumes at work which have left workers with serious personal injury for which they have had to claim personal injury compensation.
Toxic gas threat to air safety
Those who participate in regular air travel or work on aircrafts have been warned that their health might be at risk. It has been found that cabin crew and pilots, as well as passengers, may be exposed to a potentially toxic gas when they are in the air. This puts many lives in danger and could result in a myriad of accident at work claims.
It has been revealed that more than 100 incidents of fumes contaminating the air inside British aircrafts have been reported in the last three years. One report from University College London suggested that as many as 197,000 passengers have been exposed to the gasses which can be seriously damaging to their health.
What's more in over 40 instances, there has been evidence of pilots inhaling noxious gasses while in flight. Worryingly, some have reported work-related illnesses and even making errors while landing or taking off as a result of the fumes, not only putting their own lives at risk but also those of other staff and paying passengers.
Experts have linked the symptoms experienced on aircrafts with ventilation systems leaking toxic chemicals given off by the engine's burning oil. It is thought that as well as feeling dizzy, spaced out, disoriented and nauseous, those affected may also experience flu-like symptoms.
There is an urgent need for BAE 146 and Boeing 757 aircrafts, particularly, to be checked for the potentially hazardous gasses. Failure for adequate health and safety precautions to be taken by airline companies could result in personal injury, fatality and an influx of work accident compensation claims.
Toxic gas at work
Whether you work in the air or on land you could be at risk of exposure to toxic gasses in an accident at work. In July 2007, employees ended up in hospital after suffering gas inhalation at an animal inhalation plant.
Of the 25 fulltime staff employed by Sacone Environmental Ltd, three employees and a paramedic who was called to the scene were left with breathing difficulties. One staff member was left in a critical condition.
The Dundee plant, which takes animals killed at the abattoir next door for gasification, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and previous to this incident the company had received complaints from local residents who claimed that the plant was releasing smells that were causing sickness.
Following these criticisms the Scottish Environment Agency (Sepa) issued Sacone Environmental with two enforcement notices. The plant is to remain closed while an investigation is carried out by the Health and Safety Executive and Tayside Police into the recent incidents. It has not yet been confirmed whether employees will be claming personal injury compensation for the work accident.
Toxic gas explosions
While gas explosions are fairly rare it is still advisable to be prepared for protecting yourself in the event that one occurs. The last serious explosion to occur in the UK was the Buncefield disaster where a number of explosions occurred at an oil storage depot on 11th December 2005. During the Hertfordshire accident at work, more than 10 people were left with personal injuries, while many surrounding properties sustained damage. The explosion released large clouds of black smoke into the atmosphere and local residents had to take extra care not to inhale the fumes.
YouClaim recommends the following advice for those who have been involved in an accident at work that could have involved exposure to toxic gasses:
It is likely that those who have sustained personal injury from toxic gasses at work can make an accident at work claim against their employer who is ultimately responsible for their health and safety in the workplace.
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