work related illness question

[cartoons]

hello.i am seeking a bit of general advice from a legal bod regarding a problem my wife has at work.she works on a hospital ward where the cleaners have started using a chemical which has caused her to have an asthma attack,and has put her off sick for around two weeks.(she has well controlled asthma with one sick episode in three years).anyway,the occupational health have seen her and can`t decide wether to risk telling her to return to the ward or redeploy her to another job.she enjoys where she works,and doesn`t want to move,but it is looking like she will have to.can anyone tell us if she has a choice what she can do,or if she is allowed to try another job to see if she likes it,or will it be a case of going where she is sent and tough? any advice would be much appreciated!

[mcflurry]

Can't they change the cleaning products?

[Sam_68]

Probably a dumb question, but has she pointed out to them that if the cleaning chemicals are capable of provoking an asthma attack for her, they probably aren't really a clever idea to use on a hospital ward, on account of sooner or later they will be likely to get a similar reaction from a patient?

[cartoons]

the chemicals being used are really just to mask the shoddy contract cleaning.it could be worse though,she could be a patient!!

[Jasper Gilder]

In the case of Goode V Rubery Owen (1980 I think) Mr Goode was sacked after a chemical in his workplace caused asthma attacks. Other work was available but not offered as the pay and status was lower. Mr Goode went to Tribunal and won , it being stated that even though alternative work might be of a lower pay and status it would be unfair not to offer it.

This is still the precedent setting case so your partner should ask for a transfer if her bosses will not change the cleaning materials

[cartoons]

thanks for the advice,it gives us some idea what to expect!cheers