The senior orthopaedic technician, who has asked to remain anonymous, suffered severe eczema on his hands, arms and torso and a dramatic worsening of his asthma, which had previously been well controlled by medication.

The technician, who worked in an operating theatre, orthopaedic ward and in a plaster room, risks suffering "catastrophic" asthma attacks if he comes in to contact with latex, said a spokeswoman for the public service union Unison which supported his court battle.

The unnamed NHS Trust which employed the man accepted liability for his condition at a court hearing in June and has now offered the six-figure settlement.

Failed to assess risks

Unison deputy general secretary Dave Prentis said: "Despite complaints the Trust failed to assess the risks involved; failed to do anything about the levels of harmful dust being produced even though an independent firm who monitored the levels found them to be above safe limits; failed to provide an extraction system and failed to provide non latex gloves.

"He suffered in those conditions for almost a year before he was moved to a completely latex-free job, but his earnings were reduced as a result."

The technician is now working in a different job and can never work in an environment involving the use of latex or where he is exposed to fumes, cold air or large amounts of dust. His asthma has improved.