Asbestos sources in South West England
Power stations
Key power stations in the region include:
- Hinkley Point A and B
- Oldbury Power Station
- Avonmouth Power Station
- Langage Power Station
- Didcot Power Station
These sites employed many people, either directly or through contractors, and asbestos was commonly used in the insulation of turbines, boilers, pipework, and other high-temperature equipment. Maintenance and repair activities often disturbed asbestos, leading to occupational exposure.
Shipbuilding and docks
The South West has a strong maritime and naval history with key shipyards and docks located at:
- Devonport Dockyard (Plymouth)
- Falmouth Docks (Cornwall)
- Appledore Shipyard (North Devon)
- Bristol Docks
- Gloucester Docks
Of particular note, Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth is one of the most significant asbestos exposure sites in the UK, due to its long history of shipbuilding, ship repair, and naval support services throughout the 20th century. The presence of asbestos at the site has led to a large number of mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural thickening claims from both civilian and military workers.
The shipbuilding and repair industry heavily used asbestos, particularly for insulating ships’ engine rooms and pipework. Workers involved in maintenance and refitting of naval and merchant vessels were often exposed without adequate protection.
Key employers included:
- The Ministry of Defence
- Babcock International
- A&P Falmouth
- Harland and Wolff (Appledore)
Military bases and defence work
The South West is home to numerous military bases and defence establishments, including:
- RAF St Mawgan
- RNAS Culdrose
- MoD Corsham
- Norton Manor Camp (Taunton)
Many service personnel and civilian workers at these sites were unknowingly exposed to asbestos, particularly those involved in building maintenance, logistics, and engineering work.
Construction
Construction workers across the South West—including carpenters, electricians, plumbers, plasterers, and general labourers—frequently encountered asbestos materials such as:
- Asbestos insulation boards (AIB)
- Corrugated asbestos cement roofing
- Artex and textured coatings
- Lagging around pipes and boilers
- Floor tiles and ceiling tiles
These materials were commonly used in homes, schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings throughout the region, putting countless tradespeople at risk.
Factories and manufacturing
Historically, the South West housed many factories and manufacturing sites that used asbestos in both machinery and building materials.
Some of the largest factories in the region during included:
- Trist Draper
- Imperial Tobacco
- British Cellophane
- Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company
- Wrigleys
- Westland Helicopters
- Fielding and Platt Ltd
- Dowty Group
Many factory workers were exposed to asbestos through equipment insulation, gaskets, and materials used during production processes.
Schools and hospitals
Like much of the UK, schools and hospitals in the South West were often constructed or refurbished using asbestos-containing materials. This has led to exposure among:
- Teachers
- Caretakers
- NHS staff
- Maintenance workers
Common asbestos uses included wall panels, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, and sprayed coatings.
Agriculture and rural exposure
In more rural areas, farm buildings frequently used corrugated asbestos roofing and pipe insulation. Farmers and labourers may have been exposed while maintaining or demolishing older structures.
Talcum powder claims
We are also pursuing claims related to asbestos-contaminated talc products. These include cosmetic products such as:
- Talcum powder
- Face powders
- Eye shadows
- Blushers
Manufacturers like Johnson & Johnson have faced litigation over asbestos-contaminated talc, and we are currently supporting individuals in the South West affected by these products.
