Asbestos claims in Wales

Wales has a long history of industry in the form of power stations, steelworks, factories, chemical plants and oil refineries. Sadly, this history is tainted by the widespread use of asbestos and the deadly legacy it has wreaked on Welsh industrial workers shows no sign of ending.

Each year approximately 100 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in Wales.  As the largest indigenous law firm based in Wales the Hugh James asbestos litigation team are best placed to assist if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.  Additionally, we are the only Legal 500 top tier firm working in the field in Wales.

Asbestos was widely used across Wales particularly in industrial settings such as in power stations, steel works, chemical plants and factories.

Power stations

The largest power stations historically located across Wales include:

• Aberthaw power station (A & B)
• Carmarthen Bay power station
• Pembroke power station
• Trawsfynydd power station
• Uskmouth power station (A & B)
• Wylfa power station

The power stations were large employers across Wales with many employed by both the Central Electricity Generating Board and contractors who worked across the sites.

High temperature equipment such as boilers, turbines and pipe work were typically insulated with vast quantities of asbestos lagging.  This asbestos lagging was regularly disturbed as employees went about their day-to-day work which led them to be exposed to asbestos whilst working in power stations.

Steel works

By the 1960s the iron and steel industry employed more people in Wales than the coal industry and has shaped the industrial outlook of Wales to this day.

Historic employers in the industry included Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds (GKN) Ltd (GKN), Richard Thomas and Baldwins Ltd, Whitehead Steel and Iron Co, John Lysaght and Co, and John Summers and Sons Ltd.  Many of these employers were absorbed into British Steel in the 1960s and now form part of Tata Steel UK Ltd.

Key sites were located across Wales including:

• Brymbo
• Eastmoors, Cardiff
• Llanwern, Newport
• Port Talbot

Key equipment located in the steel works was often insulated with asbestos lagging and asbestos insulation boards.  Asbestos containing materials were regularly disturbed as those working in the power stations went about their work which led many being exposed to asbestos dust.

Construction 

Tradesmen across Wales include carpenters, electricians, joiners, plumbers, ceiling fitters, laggers, plasterers, fitters, labourers, and the like.  Many of whom were exposed to asbestos containing materials and products including:

• Asbestos insulation boards / Asbestolux
• Corrugated asbestos sheets
• Asbestos rope
• Ceiling tiles
• Floor tiles
• Artex
• Lagging
• Boilers

Many construction workers across Wales were dangerous exposed to asbestos whilst working in schools, hospitals, factories, new build houses, and office blocks.

Shipping/Docks

Wales has a strong shipping history where the following key sites played a pivotal role in trade:

• Pembroke dockyard (Pater yard) – Royal Navy
• Barry docks
• Cardiff docks
• Newport docks
• Swansea docks

Key employers in the industry included the Ministry of Defence, C H Bailey Plc, Bristol Channel Ship Repairers Ltd, and Barry Dry Dock Company Ltd.

Asbestos was a widely used material in the shipping industry.  When vessels were in dry dock this was typically an opportunity for ships to be maintained, refit and repaired.  This typically included the removal and replacement of asbestos containing materials such as asbestos lagging.  Unfortunately, these works were regularly undertaken by men with no protection against asbestos exposure.

Factories

Wales has historically been at the forefront of of the manufacturing sector in the UK with major employers including those listed below housing large factories in the country:

• Hoover (Merthyr Tydfil)
• Monsanto (Newport and Wrexham)
• Dunlop Semtex (Brynmawr)
• Turners Asbestos (Barry)
• Ferodo (Caernarfon)
• Alcan (Newport)

Asbestos products were widely used in the processes undertaken within factories across Wales and were often also located in the fabric of the factory buildings.  Consequently, many of those who worked in factories were exposed to asbestos dust.

Schools and hospitals

Many of our public buildings including schools and hospitals were constructed using asbestos containing materials.  Typical uses of asbestos in schools and hospitals include asbestos lagging on pipe work and girders, asbestos wall partitions, and asbestos ceiling tiles.

Sadly, many teachers, doctors, nurses and other staff working in hospitals across Wales are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of their work.

Talc

Talcum powder can be contaminated with asbestos as part of the mining process.  This is because some talc mines are in very close proximity to asbestos mines and in fact overlap meaning that the talc becomes contaminated with asbestos.

Consequently, some cosmetic products including talcum powder and make up products (including face powder, eye shadow, and blusher) are contaminated with asbestos.