Tar plants
If you or a loved one were employed at a tar plant, you may be aware of the hazardous working conditions that existed. Many former employees have developed respiratory illnesses and diseases linked to these conditions.
Employers have a legal duty of care to protect the health and safety of their workers. If this duty was breached, you, or the families of deceased workers, may be entitled to compensation.
If you have suffered illness or disease and suspect your work may be the cause, you could be entitled to personal injury compensation. Our experienced workplace disease solicitors have helped individuals and families across England and Wales secure justice and financial support for health issues arising from their employment, including in high-profile cases involving large groups of workers. Even if you are unsure of the dates of employment, we can investigate your working history and conditions.
The Avenue Coking Works – Wingerworth, Derbyshire
The Avenue Coking Works in Wingerworth, Derbyshire operated from 1952 until 1992 and was later labelled one of the most contaminated industrial sites in the UK. Workers were regularly exposed to toxic by-products of coal processing, including tar and benzole, which are now linked to serious long-term health risks.
Caerphilly Tar Plant – Caerphilly, South Wales
Located in South Wales, the Caerphilly Tar Plant was a key facility in the region’s industrial landscape, operating for much of the 20th century. The plant processed coal tar and produced chemical by-products commonly used in construction, road surfacing, and timber treatment. Workers at the site were frequently exposed to hazardous substances such as creosote, benzole, and other volatile organic compounds, many of which are now known to be linked to serious respiratory conditions, skin disorders, and cancers.
St Anthony’s Tar Works – Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne
St Anthony’s Tar Works, located on the Walker Riverside in Newcastle upon Tyne, was a key producer of coal tar products such as creosote and pitch throughout much of the 20th century, before closing in 1983. The site later gained notoriety for its severe environmental contamination, with reports revealing tar seepage into the River Tyne decades after closure.
Norwood Cokeworks – Dunston, Gateshead
The Norwood Cokeworks in Dunston, Gateshead operated from 1912 until 1986, producing coke, tar, benzole, sulphate of ammonia, and gas. The site’s long industrial history involved the regular handling of toxic chemicals and emissions, placing many workers at risk of long-term health effects.
Manvers Main Coking Plant – Wath upon Dearne, South Yorkshire
Located in Wath upon Dearne, the Manvers Main Coking Plant was a major industrial site from the 1950s through the 1980s. It played a central role in South Yorkshire’s coal industry, converting coal into coke and chemical by-products including tar and benzole. Many of these substances are now known to be linked to serious health conditions.
