{
  "id": 6907838,
  "title": "London Underground workers exposed to asbestos without protective masks, documents reveal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/london-underground-workers-exposed-to-asbestos-without-protective",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-12T10:00:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/12/london-underground-workers-exposed-to-asbestos-without-protective-masks-documents-reveal"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hundreds of London Underground workers may have been exposed to asbestos for nearly two decades without the mandatory protection of face-fitted masks, according to leaked documents. Transport for London (TfL) failed to provide these essential safety measures until 2020, even though regulations required them. Emails and meeting minutes revealed that managers were aware of the issue and admitted to not issuing face-fitted masks to staff until late 2020. Despite this, TfL continued to operate without proper safety measures, potentially putting hundreds of workers at risk. The employer has already paid over £7 million in asbestos-related compensation and legal fees, raising concerns about further legal battles.",
  "summary": "Hundreds of staff may have worked without legally required face-fitted masks over 20 years Hundreds of London Underground workers could have been exposed to asbestos for almost 20 years without protection required under safety regulations, according to documents seen by the Guardian. Under 2002 rules on controlling asbestos and other hazardous materials, employers are required to take a series of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}