London Underground whistleblower warns passengers about toxic dust risks
8 reported
A former London Underground worker who was unfairly dismissed after raising concerns about asbestos and other toxic dust exposure is now warning passengers about potential hazards. Micky Steeds, a former professional boxer from Aveley, Essex, began working for London Underground in 2018 cleaning decades of dust from vents, lift shafts, and confined channels under station platforms. An employment tribunal found that Steeds made protected disclosures under the Employment Rights Act 1996, and that his beliefs were genuine and reasonable. The tribunal concluded that London Underground had unfairly dismissed him, with the principal reason being his protected disclosures. Steeds said he wants all tube passengers to know about the risks, stating that people are being put in danger. London Underground is planning to appeal the judgment.
What’s reported
Micky Steeds worked for London Underground starting in 2018, cleaning dust from vents, lift shafts, and inverts (confined channels under station platforms).
For the first 15 months, Steeds was not fitted with a proper protective mask, sometimes using paper masks that became blackened with dust.
He received training on handling asbestos only after 19 months of cleaning asbestos-sheathed cables with stiff vacuum brushes.
In March 2023, Steeds told a manager that hazardous waste was being dumped in general waste bags instead of being double-bagged and disposed of as special waste.
A judge-led tribunal in May concluded Steeds’ complaints were whistleblowing and protected disclosures under the Employment Rights Act 1996.
The tribunal found London Underground had fallen short of demonstrating compliance on hazardous waste disposal, which may give rise to criminal and civil liability.
Steeds was sacked in August 2023 after being signed off work with anxiety, after being given an ultimatum to retract his complaints or be dismissed.
London Underground is planning to appeal the judgment.
Key figures
Micky Steeds: former London Underground worker and whistleblower
Michael Ballantyne: Steeds’ solicitor from James & West Law
Transport for London spokesperson (unnamed)
Sources: The Guardian
