An ex-detective who investigated the infamous IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton sadly passed away the other week from an asbestos-related illness.
Jonathan Woods, who previously worked as an anti-terror officer for the Metropolitan Police, died last week from mesothelioma, an incurable cancer caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibres. The condition can remain undetected for decades, much like the case of Mr Woods.
The Grand Hotel in Brighton played host to the Conservative Party conference back in 1984, which was attended by then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. A bomb was planted by a guest with the intention of killing the PM, but instead injured more than 30 other guests and killed 5.
Mr Woods is said to have been exposed to the asbestos fibres whilst sifting through tons of rubble following the blast. At the time of his diagnosis, he claimed to have not been given adequate protection at the site of the attack, and issued a writ to both the Metropolitan Police and Sussex Police.
After retiring in 2002, Mr Woods moved to France with his wife. He passed away in a French hospital at the start of December. According to reports, his family are planning to pursue this case, thought to be the first civil suit from a police officer working at the scene of a terrorist attack.
Unfortunately, many are only seeing the consequences of asbestos exposure now, due to many of the diseases that can follow taking years to show themselves.
Any building built before 2000 can contain asbestos. That’s equivalent to 14 million buildings being made with this toxic building material. Nowadays, buildings containing asbestos are thankfully being reduced dramatically, although it is always preferable for any organisation concerned about the potential presence of asbestos at their premises to be safe rather than sorry.
Asbestos itself isn’t harmful unless it has been damaged, or if the fibres have been released into the air. You are most at risk if you are working on an unfamiliar site, or if you and/or your team don’t know how to recognise and work safely with asbestos.
Thankfully, here at Salvum, our trustworthy can provide a wide range of asbestos-related services, including asbestos surveys, consultancy services and demolition/refurbishment. For whatever reason you require Salvum’s services, don’t hesitate to contact our professional team today.
