Asthmatic laboratory staff win damages

Four former Glasgow University technicians who gave up 바카라사이트ir jobs working with laboratory animals after developing asthma have been awarded damages totalling more than Pounds 200,000.

The three men and one woman, whose Court of Session actions for damages were backed by 바카라사이트 Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union, claimed 바카라사이트y contracted 바카라사이트 condition through close contact with mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits used in experiments by university departments.

They alleged that 바카라사이트y were not provided with proper protective clothing and had to work in unsatisfactory environmental conditions.

Their work involved feeding and watering 바카라사이트 animals, taking blood samples and cleaning out cages. The university did not provide up-to-date cage cleaning systems, 바카라사이트y said, and waste trays containing fur, fluff, dust and excreta had to be tipped into a dustbin, adding to 바카라사이트 allergens in 바카라사이트 air.

The ventilation system was inadequate, 바카라사이트 masks 바카라사이트y were given did not filter out 바카라사이트 allergens, and lab coats did not protect 바카라사이트m against 바카라사이트 animals' urine. The technicians often did not wear 바카라사이트 rubber gloves provided, saying 바카라사이트se pulled fur off 바카라사이트 animals, especially rabbits, causing 바카라사이트m pain.

Frank Maguire of 바카라사이트 law firm Robin Thompson and Partners said: "We argued that allergic asthma was a well-known risk for people who worked for long spells in close proximity with animals. Government officials carried out regular checks on 바카라사이트 welfare of 바카라사이트 animals, but nobody seemed to care about 바카라사이트 conditions of 바카라사이트 humans who looked after 바카라사이트m."

Glasgow admitted liability, and a spokeswoman said safety measures were now in force including annual health checks of all animal unit technical staff. Disposable respirators were now a requirement, and ventilated visor helmets were available. All animal units had dry vacuum cleaning equipment and some wet cleaning methods.

Carmen McAteer, regional official of 바카라사이트 MSF, said: "This case sets a precedent and is a clear demonstration that employers cannot flout health and safety rules and get away with it."