The very real need for the best-qualified and suitably experienced asbestos surveyors in the UK is never more apparent than when an asbestos-related tragedy is reported in the news. One of the most recent sad cases across the country concerns the death of a former fitter and joiner from South Yorkshire.
A family left heartbroken
Doncaster man Mick Torr died last year at the age of 67 from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining strongly associated with asbestos exposure. His daughter Sharon, who said the family had been left “devastated” by the loss of their father, described him as having been “still very fit” prior to becoming “breathless and poorly” at the onset of the disease.
Mr Torr spent several decades as a roofer and joiner for employers including George Wimpey and Doncaster Council, eventually retiring in 2012. Only in October 2015 was he diagnosed with the debilitating disease, dying just two months later on December 17. He leaves behind two daughters, Sharon and Rachel, and a son, Stuart.
His family is now working with solicitors from industrial disease firm Simpson Millar as they seek to establish exactly how he came into contact with asbestos, and hope that former colleagues will come forward with information.
Evidence of career asbestos exposure
Simpson Millar spokesperson Helen Grady said that Mr Torr had recalled working with asbestos boards and asbestos roof panels during his career. She added that “Most of the time he worked up on the roof of many buildings, many of which were the standard asbestos cement corrugated panels. He regularly had to handle asbestos roof panels when repairing or putting up new roof panels.
“He recalled that he had to cut up asbestos with circular saws regularly. This process would release asbestos dust onto his hands and clothing. Sometimes he recalled using hand saws for finer work, plus nailing it into position and this released clouds of asbestos dust into his face.”
She expressed her hope that “his family will be able to find out exactly where and how Mick came to be exposed.”
With sad cases like that of Mr Torr continuing to appear in the news, the relevance and importance of the right asbestos surveyors in the UK remains as clear as ever. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Salvum team today about the potentially life-saving services that we can provide.
