Shipyard worker dies from asbestos exposure

It has been reported that a man who worked in Barrow shipyard from 40 years, Victor John Coverdale, died from asbestos related mesothelioma. Before he died, Mr Coverdale described how the asbestos would be everywhere in the shipyard, and he did not know it was dangerous. He was exposed to the asbestos dust on a daily basis through the work of other tradesmen nearby.

The assistant Coroner in Cumbria recorded a conclusion of death by industrial disease. It is reported that the death rate from asbestos related lung cancer in Barrow is three-and-a-half times the national average.

Andrew Stinchcombe of Novum Law comments “this is a sad reminder that the damages from asbestos dust can take many decades to develop. It was often common place for asbestos to be used extensively in Dockyards in the 20^th Century. Although the dangers from asbestos dust are now well known, asbestos may still be present in older buildings and should not be disturbed, except by specialist experts”.

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