Asbestos sources in South of England
Shipping and dock work
Southampton has a rich maritime history and was a major hub for shipbuilding, repairs and military logistics. Key sites and employers include:
- Southampton Docks (ABP Port of Southampton)
- Vosper Thornycroft (VT Shipbuilding)
- John I. Thornycroft & Company
- Harland & Wolff (naval and commercial ship repairs)
- Associated British Ports
- Ministry of Defence
These locations were heavily active in post-war shipbuilding and maintenance, with extensive use of asbestos.
Southampton’s docks and shipyards, especially during the 1940s–1980s, were major sites of asbestos exposure, as asbestos was widely used in ship construction and maintenance due to its fire resistance and insulating properties.
Common uses of asbestos on ships included:
- Lagging on pipework and boilers (thermal insulation)
- Bulkhead and wall insulation
- Flooring and ceiling tiles
- Gaskets and brake linings
- Sprayed insulation in engine rooms and fireproofing areas
Workers were commonly exposed to asbestos when repairing vessels in dry dock or maintaining ships’ boiler rooms, pipework, and engine compartments.
Power stations
Power stations across the South , including those near Southampton and on the South Coast made extensive use of asbestos insulation in turbines, boilers, and high-temperature pipework. Employees of both energy companies and subcontractors were regularly exposed during maintenance, repair, and refurbishment projects.
One key site was the Fawley Oil Refinery (operated by Esso Petroleum Company Ltd (now part of ExxonMobil) near Southampton, one of the largest refineries in the UK. Workers at the refinery were exposed to asbestos used in insulation materials throughout the plant, particularly in high-temperature processing areas and pipework.
Railway industry
Swindon was once one of the most important railway towns in the UK, home to the Swindon Railway Works, operated by Great Western Railway (GWR), British Rail Engineering Ltd, and Network Rail.
For much of the 20th century, the British Rail Engineering Works in Swindon was a major employer and played a key role in the construction, maintenance, and overhaul of locomotives and rolling stock. As with many industrial sites of its time, asbestos was heavily used across the Swindon works due to its heat-resistant and insulating properties, particularly in the production and servicing of steam and diesel trains. Workers were routinely exposed during the application, removal, and maintenance of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), often without adequate protection or warning of the risks.
Asbestos was commonly found in engine lagging, brake pads, pipe insulation, and boiler linings especially in steam locomotives where high-temperature operation made fireproofing essential. Fitters, laggers, machinists, and engineers were frequently exposed to airborne fibres during their daily work, as were labourers and apprentices working nearby. Even administrative and support staff could suffer secondary exposure from dust carried through communal areas or on colleagues’ clothing.
Today, many former British Rail workers from Swindon have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, often decades after their exposure. Claims arising from Swindon cases highlight the widespread and indiscriminate nature of asbestos use in railway engineering and the long-term consequences for those involved.
Similar conditions existed at the British Rail depot in Eastleigh, near Southampton, which was another important hub for locomotive and carriage maintenance. Workers at Eastleigh were exposed to asbestos during routine repairs, particularly in engine rooms, brake systems, and insulation work. As with Swindon, many former Eastleigh employees have since developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Our specialist asbestos litigation team is experienced in supporting former railway workers and their families across the South of England, helping them access justice and financial support after a diagnosis.
Manufacturing
The Morris Motors plant in Cowley, Oxford, was once a cornerstone of Britain’s motor industry, employing thousands of workers in car manufacturing and assembly throughout much of the 20th century. Like many large industrial sites of the era, the factory made extensive use of asbestos, particularly in areas where heat resistance and insulation were required. Workers involved in assembling engines, fitting brake systems, or maintaining plant machinery were especially at risk, often handling or working near asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) with little or no protective equipment.
Asbestos was used in numerous components, including brake pads, clutches, gaskets, and insulation materials within the factory infrastructure. The risks were often not communicated to workers, despite the known dangers from the 1960s onward.
Today, a number of former Morris Motors employees from Cowley have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Construction trades
Construction workers across the South regularly encountered asbestos-containing materials during the building boom of the 1950s–1980s. Trades affected include plumbers, carpenters, joiners, electricians, ceiling fitters, plasterers and general labourers.
Public sector – Schools and hospitals
Asbestos was widely used in public buildings across Southampton, Oxford, Swindon and beyond. We have acted for many teachers, NHS staff, school caretakers, and hospital maintenance teams who were unknowingly exposed during their careers.
