A former employee of Huntsman Tioxide of Moody Lane in Grimsby was exposed to excessive levels of noise whilst at work.  This was a company that manufactured pigments. He was employed from 1979 to 2005. During this time, the company changed names several times and was variously called BTP, Tioxide Group Ltd, Tioxide Group PLC, Tioxide UK Ltd, Tioxide Europe Ltd and Huntsman Tioxide Ltd.

The employee was a maintenance fitter throughout his employment and the sources of noise included heavy plant machinery, high pressure steam & air, hydraulic systems, microniser injector systems, pumps, fans, milled sand units (MSUs), motors, compressors, gear boxes, vacuum units, conveyors, heavy illuminite sand mill units, overhead cranes, vibrating conveyor belts, high & low pressure air systems, large band driers, JCBs, drilling, grinding, hammering, air powered wrenches, air powered sockets, drills and grinders.

Although employed since 1979, hearing protection was not provided until around the early 1990’s and was made compulsory a few years later.  There are no records or recollection of any specific training being given to employees on the dangers of working in a noisy environment.  The employee now suffers from mild noise induced hearing loss, which was confirmed when WE Solicitors arranged a medical assessment of his hearing condition. This was presented to the defendants, as part of the evidence, to support his claim.

WE Solicitors were able to negotiate an out of court settlement of £4,000.00.

A Partner at WE Solicitors said ‘the dangers of working in noise have been well known for many, many years.  In many companies employers chose to ignore those dangers and exposed their employees to deafening levels of noise.’  If you have been affected by noise at work contact WE Solicitors on 0800 294 3065.