It always saddens our asbestos R&D survey specialists here at Salvum to read of the many deaths attributable to asbestos-related disease that can often be traced back to short periods of exposure to the lethal substance many decades ago.
This occurred again recently when we learned of two new apparent victims of asbestos exposure in York, both having succumbed to mesothelioma, the cancer that is strongly linked to the harmful substance.
Work histories now being examined
One of those men, Richard Sanderson, who was known as Dick, was born and worked in York prior to his emigration to Australia in the early 1970s. He sadly died last year.
Acting for Mr Sanderson’s family in seeking damages, Charlie Bradley, of York-based solicitors Corries, stated: “We know that there is a long latency period between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma, typically between 40 to 50 years. Mr Sanderson moved to Australia in 1974 so we are looking at work he did in the York area in the 1960s and 1970s”.
The other sad case concerns Frederick Dugmore, who was known as Tony and died in July 2014. According to Thompsons Solicitors, his wife, Betty, believed that he may have come into contact with asbestos while working for the British Rail Locking Shop near York railway station and Armstrong Patents Limited.
A spokesman commented: “Tony first joined British Rail in 1961 as a shunter at a railway depot in York, where he checked train carriages for faults before they were sent out for use. He worked for Armstrong Patents Limited from 1966 to 1967 and again from 1974 to 1975 where he was on a production line soaking car shock absorbers in acid.”
Efforts underway to contact former colleagues
Both families are now working closely with solicitors to appeal to former colleagues of the two men for more information regarding the circumstances in which they were exposed to asbestos. Tony’s daughter, Dion, reflected: “It was horrible for our family to see and we had no idea that his ill health was asbestos-related until it was too late.”
Here at Salvum, we know as well as any company that just one asbestos R&D survey could make the difference in terms of preventing instances of asbestos exposure that lead to tragedies like those detailed above.
When you wish to help ensure the very highest standards of asbestos safety in your own workplace, simply contact Salvum for more information on our highly rated services.
