Documents disclosed during an employment tribunal suggest that hundreds of London Underground workers may have been exposed to asbestos for almost 20 years without the legally required face-fitted masks, according to the Guardian. The papers, seen as part of a case brought by former cleaner Micky Steeds, indicate Transport for London (TfL) could face further costly legal claims, having already paid out more than £7m in asbestos-related compensation and legal fees.

Emails and meeting minutes show managers admitting that face-fitted masks, required under 2002 hazardous materials regulations, were not issued to some teams until as late as 2020, with one manager blaming a lack of training. TfL has recorded over 20,000 asbestos-containing materials across its network, and workers described frequently encountering damaged asbestos on cables without proper precautions. TfL maintains it has adequate controls in place, though a solicitor who recently secured a settlement for a former inspector with mesothelioma said the documents could prompt further injury claims.