One job was at Selly Oak Hospital which was built in the 1800s and continued to grow through the 1900s with new operating theatres added in 1931 and the biochemistry and pathology laboratories opened in 1934. Nurses had been trained at Selly Oak since 1897, but it wasn’t until 1942 that the School of Nursing was opened. Asbestos was used extensively in the building process especially for pipe lagging. Mr I’s work involved the removal of the asbestos pipe lagging in the old biology blocks. He also mixed the asbestos powder in huge tubs to re-lag the pipes. This was often done by hand with little thought given to health and safety.

He did similar work at The Albany hotel, The Birmingham Repertory Theatre and at a school in Wednesbury.

Mr I also worked at the Longbridge plant for Austin Morris Motors. Longbridge plant is an industrial complex in Longbridge, Birmingham. It opened in 1905 and by the late 1960s Longbridge employed around 25,000 workers, building cars including the original Mini. In 1952 Austin was amalgamated with Morris Motors Limited and became BMC. Harold Wilson’s industrial planners arranged for BMC to be amalgamated into British Leyland in 1968.

The work there was similar in nature to his work for the building company and involved the stripping of asbestos from pipes and re-lining the pipes with new asbestos.

After a series of tests including a CT scan, Mr I was diagnosed with asbestosis. He then contacted RWK Goodman and our lead solicitor took on his case. She advised a provisional settlement against his former employers. This is a reflection of his current medical condition and allows for possibility of his condition worsening in the future, so that if he develops an asbestos cancer such as mesothelioma, he will be able to apply for further asbestos compensation.

If you have worked alongside pipe fitters and have been diagnosed with an asbestos disease then we can offer advice on whether you are eligible to make a claim, please contact us to advise further.