Death of carpenter caused due to industrial disease

It has been reported that an Inquest has heard that a retired carpenter who worked with asbestos many decades ago developed an incurable cancer.

A Hearing at Taunton Coroner Court heard statements made by Kenneth Stennard, before he died at the age of 80 in July 2016. Mr Stennard was reportedly diagnosed with mesothelioma, a disease caused by asbestos exposure, in August of 2015.

Mr Stennard’s statement was read at the Inquest. In it he reportedly described how he worked as a carpenter and joiner for many different employers throughout his working life. He would regularly cut up asbestos sheets which were used as materials for roofs, and without the use of safety equipment.

The Inquest was told that it was common for buildings in the 1960’s to have roofs made from asbestos sheets.

The Senior Somerset Coroner, Tony Williams, recorded a conclusion that Mr Stennard’s death was caused due to industrial disease.

Andrew Stinchcombe of Novum Law comments “unfortunately there are still many cases of mesothelioma being diagnosed today. It can take many decades for this incurable disease to develop, and we are still seeing the effects of asbestos exposure that people may have experienced during the course of their working lives many years ago. Although asbestos has been banned for many years for use in new buildings, it could still be present in older buildings. It is important that if asbestos is discovered, it is not disturbed but instead specialist advise should be obtained”.

The full article can be found here.