University fined after employees develop occupational asthma
Thursday 7th May 2026
A university has been fined £280,000 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the university failed to identify and implement controls to prevent employees’ exposure to animal allergens between 2008 and 2025, leaving one employee unable to continue in their employment.
The HSE turned their focus to occupational, work-related, diseases following their 2026 Strategy titled “Helping Great Britain work well” and is currently proposing to expand the list of reportable occupational diseases from six conditions to nineteen.
The consultation closes on 30 June 2026 and can be found here.