Toluene Exposure Claims
Also known as phenyl methane and methylbenzene, toluene is a chemical that is commonly used in printing, dry cleaning, paint, adhesive, construction, engineering, wood work, and textile industries. It is not necessarily a toxic substance when handled properly. However, toluene exposure over prolonged periods may adversely affect the health of a worker in an industry where it is extensively used. If you have become ill as a result of toluene exposure, you may be entitled to make a claim against your employer.
In order to ensure toluene remains within the recommended safety limits, an employer must carry out air sampling. If there is presence of toluene in the air, it is likely that the safety limits have been exceeded, and this may expose workers to health risk.
Symptoms of Toluene Exposure
Symptoms of toluene exposure in an industrial setting include:
- Muscle weakness
- Anxiety
- Irritation of the eyes
- Insomnia
- Breathing difficulties
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Confusion
Chronic toluene exposure can have very lethal effects. These effects include:
- Unconsciousness
- Damage to the kidney, liver, and lungs
- Coma
- Growth and developmental problems in children
- Neurological problems
- Brain injury
Excessive levels of toluene exposure in a poorly ventilated or closed environment may lead to death. Most work related toluene exposure cases occur as a result of inadequate provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as breathing apparatus, heavy gloves, and face masks by an employer. Health and Safety laws as outlined in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) provide strict guidelines that call for strong control of industrial solvents in a work environment.
Your Employer’s responsibility for your Safety
These guidelines demand that employers carry out risk assessment regularly to monitor the level of toluene exposure, ensuring that employees remain within the safety limit of 50ppm (parts per million) over an average of 8 hours in a day. In order to ensure adequate control measures are in place, an employer must provide equipment for localized extraction, label solvent containers properly, train staff on standard handling procedures, issue protective equipment to all staff, take appropriate steps to ensure discharge is prevented, provide separate lockers for personal and work clothing to prevent contamination, and monitor the air quality to ensure it remains within safety limits.
If your employer fails to take action by implementing safety measures as stipulated in the Health and Safety regulations, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim. Our claim specialists at Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd can help you go through the process to ensure you receive the full worth of your case.
What if your employer is out of business?
This would hardly be surprising. Since toluene exposure can take several years before the onset of its effects, it is possible that your former employer has gone out of business when the medical diagnosis is carried out. Do not panic. At Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd, our claim specialists can help you trace the insurer of your former employer using the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO). Even if your employer is out of business, it is still possible to make a compensation claim.
As a result of the limitation period, Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd advise affected individuals or families to contact us as soon as medical diagnosis has been established. We would provide professional advice and guide you through every step involved in your toluene exposure claim case.
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Contact us to start the claims process today.