Worker 'never told of dangers'

A FATHER was exposed to asbestos dust at work for more than 20 years.

But Brian Raw, who worked for ICI, was never given a mask or safety advice.

Details of his exposure to the deadly dust were read to an inquest last week in a statement that Mr Raw had prepared shortly before his death.

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He described his work as an engineering apprentice and then a quantity surveyor at ICI sites in Middlesbrough, Avonmouth and Wilmslow.

He said he did not handle asbestos but other workers cut the material and prepared asbestos paste.

"Clouds of dust were given off as they emptied the sacks and also when they cut the pre-formed sections," said Mr Raw, who started working for ICI in 1955.

"When the asbestos paste was applied some of it fell on to the scaffolding or on to the ground and everyone walked through it. It was impossible to avoid the dust given off."

Mr Raw, who was 68 when he died at his home in Beggarmans Lane, Knutsford, said workers did not damp down asbestos dust when sweeping it up.

"I was never supplied with any masks nor given any warnings about the dangers of asbestos dust," he said.

"I wore ordinary clothes and a duffle coat when I was outside."

Mr Raw was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, in February 2006.

He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy and responded well.

But in June 2007 he saw his doctor with chest pains and an abnormal heartbeart.

Two months later he underwent further chemotherapy and his condition deteriorated before his death in October.

Mr Raw's widow Hazel, 63, said he spent a good part of his life helping others. He became a Queen's Scout and led a parade at Windsor Castle in front of the Queen.

He was also a founder member of the Cleveland Search and Rescue Team, an organisation that helps the police and Army to save lives and recover bodies.

More than £1,000 - raised following Mr Raw's death - was spent refurbishing the search and rescue headquarters and a room is to be named in his memory.

Assistant deputy coroner Jean Harkin concluded that Mr Raw died of mesothelioma caused by asbestos despite the fact that no fibres were found in his body.

A pathologist explained that the fibres could have been exhaled.