University fined £280k over lab staff's animal allergy asthma

A university has been fined £280,000 after two members of staff developed asthma after being exposed to animal allergens while working in laboratories.

Both workers at Cardiff University were left with lifelong conditions with one unable to continue with their job. One complained of "terrible" breathing and struggling to walk any distance.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the university did not properly control the risks over a 15-year period until last year - a length of time it called "truly concerning".

The university apologised to the affected staff and said it had addressed the issues identified by the HSE.

The HSE found that from 2008 to 2025, the university failed to identify and implement controls to prevent workers' exposure to animal allergens.

One of the employees said they had been diagnosed with occupational asthma and occupational rhinitis and their lung function had declined by a third.

They said: "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."

They said they become breathless during long conversations and cannot walk and talk at the same time.

The HSE found Cardiff University failed to put in place proper measures to protect workers from exposure to animal allergens in contravention of legislation.

It said it admitted breaching health and safety legislation and was ordered to pay £11,745 costs as well as the fine at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on 30 April.

The HSE's Insp Janet Hensey said: "This went on for 15 years [and] is truly concerning.

"Occupational asthma is a recognised work-related disease with potentially disabling consequences."

Cardiff University said: "We are deeply sorry and apologise to the staff members who have been directly impacted.

"This relates to a specific period during which the university acknowledges that it did not always meet its responsibilities to adequately protect employees from exposure to laboratory animal allergens in one of our animal facilities."

It said people should not be concerned about safety in university buildings.

"The issues identified in the charge have already been addressed through significant improvements following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) improvement notice," it said.

"The university's guilty plea and fine does not affect their ability to operate or the current staff working in them."