Cardiff University fined £280,000 after staff develop occupational asthma following 15 years of allergen exposure
Cardiff University has been ordered to pay £280,000 after two staff members contracted permanent occupational asthma from animal allergen exposure.
The institution entered a guilty plea at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on April 30 following a prosecution brought by Britain's workplace regulator.
They admitted to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The Health and Safety Executive's investigation revealed both workers now suffer from irreversible respiratory conditions as a consequence of their workplace exposure.
In a statement, one of the affected employees said: "I was diagnosed with occupational asthma and occupational rhinitis, and my lung function has been permanently decreased by 33 per cent.
"As a result, my breathing has been terrible, and I struggle walking any distance. Going upstairs is really difficult.
"I have to take a steroid inhaler, a nasal spray and a bronchodilator throughout the day as I need it.
"I become breathless when having long conversations and I am unable to walk and talk at the same time anymore."
The HSE determined that, over a 15-year period from 2008 to 2025, the university neglected its responsibility to establish appropriate safeguards to protect its workforce from exposure to animal allergens.
Investigators concluded that Cardiff University had not introduced sufficient protective measures for employees, despite the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations having been in force since 1989.
Furthermore, specific guidance aimed at those working with laboratory animals had been publicly available since 2011, yet the institution still failed to act appropriately.
One of the two affected employees was forced to leave their position entirely due to the severity of their condition.
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Beyond the substantial fine, the court also directed the university to cover prosecution costs totalling £11,745.
Occupational asthma remains a recognised illness linked to workplace conditions.
It carries the potential for severe and lasting health consequences.
Organisations that handle animals or biological agents have a legal duty to assess allergen exposure risks and implement appropriate protective measures for their staff.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Janet Hensey said: "This was a case of Cardiff University failing to properly deal with very real risks to employees working with animals and not putting suitable controls in place to prevent exposure.
"The fact this went on for 15 years is truly concerning.
"Occupational asthma is a recognised work-related disease with potentially disabling consequences.
"HSE will not hesitate to take action against organisations, which do not do all that they can to keep people safe."
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