Power station worker exposed to asbestos

A HEACHAM man who died of mesothelioma was exposed to asbestos while working at a power station in Hertfordshire, a Lynn inquest was told on Friday.
Reginald White (86), a former carpenter and joiner, died at his home, 30 Kenwood Road, on May 9, from pneumonia due to a malignant mesothelioma, Greater Norfolk Coroner William Armstrong said.

He read from a statement Mr White made to his solicitors in which he said that he worked for a generating station at Hoddesdon, as a maintenance carpenter, from 1955 until 1981 when the power station closed and he was made redundant.

During those years, he had regular contact with both white and blue asbestos.

His work included removing condemned boards, dealing with asbestos lagging around pipes and cutting asbestos.

In the statement, Mr White said he was never issued with a protective mask or breathing apparatus while handling asbestos and only in the latter years was given safety glasses to wear.

Recording a verdict of death due to industrial disease, Mr Armstrong said: "I am satisfied that Reginald died from mesothelioma and that it was caused directly by exposure to asbestos during his working life for a considerable period between 1955 and 1981."

Widow Joyce White told the coroner: "We have been waiting 14 years to get justice for him."