Mr S was exposed to excessive levels of noise, whilst working in foundries for a period of around 28 years. Mr S worked for English Electric Co Ltd (which later became GEC Power Engineering Ltd), at Lichfield Road, Stafford, for 11 years. He was employed as a foundry labourer and fettler throughout and exposed to the noise of the machinery, the furnaces, overhead cranes, the knocking out of moulds, angle grinders, band saws and hammering etc. Mr S advises that although he worked in a noisy environment, he was never given any hearing protection.

Mr S then went on to work for Trent Foundries Ltd of Chemical Lane, Longport, Stoke-on-Trent. He was employed here for a total of around 17 years, between the years of 1979 and 1996. He was employed as a fettler and exposed to the noise of machinery and tools similar to that of his previous employer. He advises that no hearing protection was provided until around the 1980’s and it’s use was not enforced until some time later, by which time, damage had already been done.

During Mr S’s employment, he was given noise awareness training or made aware of the dangers that working in excessive noise gives rise to. Mr S just assumed that the hearing protection was there because it was uncomfortable to work in noise. He now suffers from mild noise induced hearing loss and a moderate degree of noise related tinnitus, 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 Mr S’s claim.

WE Solicitors were able to negotiate an out of court settlement of £3,000.00  on behalf of Mr S.