Documents Suggest London Underground Workers Lacked Required Asbestos Masks for Nearly 20 Years

Hundreds of London Underground workers may have been exposed to asbestos for almost 20 years without protective equipment required under UK safety regulations, according to documents reviewed by the Guardian.

Under 2002 rules governing the control of asbestos and other hazardous materials, employers are legally required to take a series of precautions to protect workers who may come into contact with asbestos. These measures include providing individually fitted face masks designed to prevent the inhalation of toxic asbestos dust.

The documents reviewed by the Guardian indicate that these face-fitting requirements may not have been consistently met for London Underground staff over a period spanning nearly two decades, potentially leaving hundreds of workers without the protection mandated by law.

Asbestos exposure is linked to serious respiratory illnesses, including mesothelioma and asbestosis, conditions that can take decades to manifest after initial exposure. The material was widely used in construction, including in older transport infrastructure, before its dangers became fully understood and its use was restricted.

The Guardian has not published further details from the documents regarding the specific findings or the response from Transport for London or London Underground management. This report is based on the initial disclosure of the documents' contents.