What are the Occupational Risks of Working in the UK Steel Industry?

Legally reviewed by: LLB (Hons) & LPC Stacy Pimlott Updated: March 31, 2022In: Industrial Disease

Health Risks of Working in the UK Steel Industry

Has your health suffered as a result of working in the UK steel industry? 

If you are based in England or Wales, and are suffering from any of the below conditions caused at your place of work in the last 3 years, we can help you claim compensation:

• Occupational asthma
• Occupational dermatitis
• Hearing loss
• Repetitive strain injury
• Back injury
• Cancer
• HAVS or VWF

Are you suffering from illness or injury caused by working in the steel industry? We can help you claim compensation if you are located in England or Wales.

Claim Compensation for your illness and injury

Are you suffering from illness or injury, caused or worsened at work? Get in touch and get started with your compensation claim.

The UK Steel Industry

The UK steel industry is regarded as one of the highest risk environments for workers and causes numerous health issues.

In 2014 alone there were over 500 handling injuries cited by the HSE in the metal production industry whilst over five percent of occupational asthma cases in 2013 were caused by soldering and welding tasks.

In our experience as industrial disease claim handlers, a large percentage of our hearing loss claims are made up of ex and current steel workers. The reason for this lies often not only in the loudness of one piece of machinery, but the number of machines active in one work space.

That it happens to so many – and that it’s considered ‘part of the job’ does not make it OK. Don’t suffer in silence as a result of industrial disease. Claim the compensation you are entitled to, to help you move forward with your life.

Personal Protective Equipment in the Steel Industry

Due to the conditions of steel plants, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can easily be damaged. So as a result, this defective protective gear could potentially lead to further risks for staff.

When carrying out a task that involves equipment that creates fumes or smoke employers are required to provide PPE in the form of dust masks or breathing apparatus, depending on the toxicity levels of the fumes produced.

Safety Training

In addition, each employee should be provided with the appropriate training. Training on different types of machinery is essential for two reasons:

1. So that workers are aware of what PPE they are required to wear, and
2. So the risks of operating each machine is understood to avoid injuries

Loose clothing, long hair and jewellery pose a high risk around tools and machinery as they can get caught in fast moving parts, potentially triggering a severe industrial industry accident.

Skin burns caused by heated equipment or chemicals used during the steel manufacturing process are other examples of risks workers in the steel industry face on a day-to-day basis.

Has your employer failed to provide you with PPE and a safe work environment?

Important Health and Safety Rules to Follow in the Steel Industry

Five very important rules to follow for steel industry workers are:

• Always wear the necessary PPE and ensure that it is up to scratch, ask your line manager for replacements if you think its defective
• Follow training guidelines carefully for each piece of machinery no matter how experienced you are
• Make sure clothing, hair and other loose articles are out of the way when using machinery
• Before using a piece of equipment check that it has been left in a safe working condition. Such as ensuring protective guards are in the correct position
• Always be aware of your colleagues and surroundings – slips, trips and falls in a steel plant are more likely to cause serious injury than in other working environments

All of these factors are your employer’s responsibility. Your employer needs ensure that you, as an employee, are kept safe under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 [3].

Your employer also has a duty to take out insurance known as Employers Liability Insurance.