Fettling Injury Claim: Lung Disease, Siderosis. Hearing Loss / Tinnitus, VWF

In this Q&A – we explain how a foundry worker can claim compensation for injuries caused in the fettling process. We consider tinnitus, noise induced hearing loss, lung disease / Siderosis and vibration white finger.

Foundry Worker Fettling Work Exposure DESCRIPTION

I worked in several metal foundries for 30 years as a fettler. Working primarily with cast iron and aluminium (sometimes bronze and brass). The last foundry I worked in produced galvanised steel castings.

I worked initially in Newcastle and Sunderland and then moved to a foundry in Nottinghamshire.

During the foundry fettling process I would use various different tools and machines. For example – disc grinders, air drills, hammers and chisels, files, linishing machines, knives and scrapers

The machines produced a lot of noise, vibration and gave off a lot of dust. In many of the foundries – not only was breathing protection not provided, but also extraction was poor. Rarely was any hearing protection provided.

I noticed a problem with my hands before I stopped work. This was 10 years ago – they were painful in the cold and the tips turned white.

Over the last year – I noticed a buzzing in my ears especially at night when it is quiet. In addition, I was also was feeling short of breath.

6 months ago I first went to see my GP with all the symptoms. As a result he sent me to see a number of specialists.

Initially I was diagnosed with COPD for my breathing. However, with further testing and scans I was told that I had an occupational lung disease. The doctors called this Siderosis.

My hearing was tested and I was told that I had significant hearing loss from noise. The buzzing in my ears was tinnitus.

Finally – I am waiting to see a vascular surgeon for my hands. However, my GP suspects that I am likely to be suffering from VWF.

Notably – my work as a fettler finished 10 years ago. In addition, I suspect that the many of the foundries I worked for are no longer in business

Fettling Injury Short Q&A

Detailed Answer To Your Fettling Injury Claim Question

The types of condition (industrial deafness, occupational lung disease and VWF) you have experienced are very typical injuries for foundry fettling workers during the fettling process using the tools you have described. Most notably – disc grinders, linishing machines (grinding and belt sanding machines) and air drills.

The time period to issue a claim at court before it is too late is generally three years from the date of injury or knowledge of injury. Generally, with the last date of knowledge being the date of diagnosis.

Looking at each condition in turn:

Industrial lung disease / siderosis

Exposure to metal dusts during the fettling process can be very harmful to your lungs. The type of the dust you are exposed to will often define the condition you are diagnosed with.

For example – Siderosis is the damage caused by inhalation of iron dust. Whereas, COPD is a much more generalised condition.

Lung damage can initially be asymptomatic (not producing symptoms). It can often be years or even decades later before symptoms present themselves.

Therefore, date of knowledge for such fettling work injury conditions is typically date of diagnosis by a specialist. Although – first seeking medical attention can also be a weighty factor.

Industrial deafness / occupational noise induced hearing loss nand tinnitus

Your date of knowledge can run from the date that you first sort assistance from your doctors for hearing problems, which can include tinnitus.

Whereas – the latest date typically is the date of your first hearing test showing hearing issues.

Testing will include a hearing test by an audiologist. The results are plotted out onto a graph known as an audiogram, which is then interpreted by an ENT. An audiogram can distinguish between hearing loss from noise and from age / other causes.

Exposure to excessive noise without hearing protection will progressively cause damage to your hearing at the time of exposure. However, when you are younger – your hearing is stronger, so despite damage being caused you are unlikely to have initially appreciated any hearing loss symptoms.

Vibration White Finger

This is a fettling work injury condition caused by damage to the blood vessels, nerves, muscles and joints from prolonged used of hand held vibrating equipment.

Symptoms of this condition typically commence at the time of exposure or within 1 – 2 years thereafter.

Your date of knowledge of injury will depend on a number of factors, including when you first experienced symptoms, sort medical assistance and when you were diagnosed.

As symptoms should commence within 2 years of the fettling work vibrating tools exposure for it to be causally connected to the working practice – the date of finishing work is also critical.

Foundry employers no longer in business

If the foundries are no longer in business – the insurer at the time could be traced to meet the liability of the foundries. Therefore,, your fettling injury claim could still proceed.

Chances Of Making A Fettling Injury Claim

There is a good chance that you would still have a claim for industrial injury against your former employers for at least some of your conditions.

Making a fettling injury claim

Industrial injury claims caused from working as a fettler can be quite complex to assess. Therefore, we recommend that you act as quickly as possible and speak to a specialist solicitor.

In addition – we recommend you see our foundry worker claims article for a detailed explanation of how to claim.

FREE Legal Help

See our free telephone / online legal help options. You can call a solicitor direct, have your fettling work injury claim assessed and ask a question.

SUMMARY

To summarize – you have seen when you can make a fettling injury claim for three types of industrial disease – lung disease, hearing loss / tinnitus and vibration white finger.

We explored: