This article considers the case of Coxall v Goodyear Great Britain Ltd. [2002] EWCA Civ 1010. The claimant in this case had asthma and his employers continued to allow him to work in their factory even though his doctor had advised that he should be removed from work involving exposure to respiratory irritants. The case suggests that an employer may be under a common law duty to dismiss the employee for his own good so as to protect his health, and the article discusses important questions raised by this case.(2003) 62 CLJ 20