A London Underground cleaner who developed a severe skin condition after being exposed to a cleaning chemical has received £14,900 in compensation.

The man had worked as a cleaner for more than 20 years. In June 2007, when he was responsible for cleaning the ticket hall at Piccadilly tube station, his employer changed the multi-purpose cleaning agent used. At the same time, he was issued with ordinary household rubber gloves in place of the black latex gloves he had previously been given for protection. The new cleaning fluid was provided with neither labels nor any instructions, and the man was not given any training on its safe use. He therefore applied the new product in the same way as the old one, using a long-handled brush to clean walls and ceilings. The fluid would run down the handle of the brush, coming into contact with his hands and arms, and also dripped onto his face.

Later on, he found out that the product should have been used with a machine and was only suitable for cleaning floors.

The man’s eyebrows fell out and he began to experience itching on his face. He also developed dermatitis on his hands and elbows. It was only after his palms had turned black and he had open wounds on his hands that managers informed him that he would again be provided with latex gloves. Just a week after these were introduced, however, he was told that they would no longer be available.

Eventually, after further problems with the new cleaning fluid, the company reverted to the product it had previously used. The man’s skin conditions have since improved, although there is a risk that they could reappear in the future.

A claim for compensation was brought against the man’s employer. Although the employer did not admit liability for his injuries, an out-of-court settlement was agreed.