Employers' Liability: Industrial Diseases

Below are the most common industrial diseases, although it is not a definitive list. For more information, see the Health and Safety Executive website.

Asbestos-related conditions

Mesothelioma Malignant cancerous cells in the mesothelium (a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs).
Asbestosis Lung fibrosis (build-up of scar tissue) resulting from the inhalation of asbestos fibres.
Asbestos Related Cancer
Pleural Plaques Localised areas of pleural thickening.
Pleural Thickening Thickening through fibrosis of the pleura (two-layered membrane surrounding the lungs).

Other industrial diseases

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) (Vibration White Finger changed to HAVS as other symptoms may occur in addition to white fingers.) Slight but repeated injury to the small nerves and blood vessels in the fingers, which can cause ‘white finger’ syndrome, numbness, and aches and pains triggered by the cold.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) Damage caused to the sensitive cells in the cochlea, which affects hearing of certain frequencies.

Asthma A chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways.

Bladder Cancer

Byssinosis An obstructive airway disease.

Chrome Ulceration Crusted, painless lesions revealing a 2-5mm pitted ulcer.
 
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) A narrowing of the airways due to chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi) or emphysema (damage to the smaller airways and alveoli).

Cumulative Back Injury (CBI) A repetitive micro-trauma involving micro-tears in spinal disks, which may result in a bulging or ruptured disk.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) A blood clot (thrombus) that develops in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg.

Dermatitis An inflammation of the skin often seen as red, scaling, vesicular eruption, including eczema.

Isocyanate Poisoning Exposure to high concentrations could result in severe damage to the lungs and lead to death.

Legionnaires Disease A type of pneumonia caught by inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air which contain the Legionella bacterium.

Mucous Membrane Imbalance A sinus, bronchial, ear or lung infection.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MSC) A chronic condition affecting different parts of the body.

Non Asbestos-related Cancer

Non-Ferrous Metal Poisoning

Occupational Stress

Other Poisoning

Paralysis (Following Disease)

Pneumoconiosis A lung condition characterized by formation of nodular fibrotic changes in lungs.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) A soft tissue injury including carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.

Whole Body Vibration (WBV) Back pain caused by vibration transmitted through the seat or feet.