A London Underground worker was dismissed unfairly after raising the alarm over exposure to asbestos and other toxic dust has said all tube users should know the risks.
Micky Steeds worked cleaning up vents and lift shafts across the sprawling underground network which attracts millions of users per day. The work was dirty and Mr Steeds was often left covered in a thick layer of grime and dust.
When he discovered the dust he was battling every day could contain dangerous levels of asbestos and other substances including chromium, arsenic, silicates and iron oxide, he raised his concerns. But he was told to either to return to work, in what he was concerned were dangerous conditions, or be sacked.
Earlier this year, Mr Steeds won an employment tribunal, which found that he was unfairly dismissed because of these “genuine and reasonable” beliefs he and colleagues were being put in danger. He told The Guardian he now believes every tube user should be aware of the risks of toxic dust exposure across the network.
“Everyone who gets on those trains needs to know about it. People are being put in danger down there,” Mr Steeds said.
Mr Steeds began working for the London Underground in 2018. The tribunal heard he was not fitted with a proper face mask and became concerned about how he and his colleagues were being told to dispose of the potentially toxic waste.
But when he raised the concerns, the panel found he was given an “unfair, and unjustifiable ultimatum” to carry on working or be sacked.
The tribunal ruled London Underground “fell short of demonstrating compliance on all occasions. The failure to dispose of hazardous waste appropriately may give rise to criminal and civil liability.”
“The dust used to get dumped on the track. I saw it happening. And when the train goes by – boof – everyone is breathing that shit in,” he said.
“I just want to make people aware of what they are breathing in. It’s not just dust, it’s hazardous waste and they don’t know that. I personally don’t travel on the tube. I’d rather get a bus.”
Michael Ballantyne, solicitor for Mr Steeds, said his case is a “reminder of the stigma whistleblowers still face”.
“Mr Steeds was viewed as a troublemaker from the start and expected to fall in line,” he continued. “When he stood his ground, London Underground closed ranks and Mr Steeds was given an ultimatum – either retract his disclosures, or be fired. I’m glad to see the Tribunal agreed this was unreasonable and unjustified.
“This is an important win for whistleblowers and a good lesson for employers.”
A TfL spokesperson said: “We have strict controls in place, in line with the government’s Control of Asbestos Regulations, which ensure customers and staff are not at risk from exposure to asbestos when travelling or working on the Tube network. Our specialist teams monitor and manage locations where asbestos has been found to ensure the safety of everyone travelling or working on the network.
“We are considering the findings of the tribunal judgement.”
