When he started at English Steel in Grimesthorpe aged 18, fettlers wore just a cloth mask to protect them as they blasted steel castings to remove imperfections.

In later years they wore a rubber mask, but it was only two years before Geoffrey finished work aged 55 that full helmets with an air supply were available.

By then the damage had been done. He developed a worsening cough and an X-ray revealed serious lung disease pneumoconiosis.

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Three times his family were called to his bedside as doctors feared the worst, but with time running out a donor became available and Geoffrey underwent a double lung transplant.

Two years on and the 59-year-old lives on a small industrial injury pension and incapacity benefit.

But, unlike many miners and industrial workers, he has been unable to claim compensation because he worked for a number of different firms - all of which no longer exist.

The Government established the Worker's Compensation Scheme for sufferers of dust-related diseases who could not take civil action because their former employers had stopped trading.

But Geoffrey's hopes of a lump sum worth thousands were dashed when his application was refused for being outside the one-year time limit - which they later discovered started when he claimed his pension.

He had applied with the help of Simon Pickvance of Sheffield Occupational Health Advice Service, but the pair claim that due to a lack of publicity they were unaware of the deadline.

Geoffrey, of Boynton Road, Shirecliffe, Sheffield, then turned to Action Desk for help.

He said: "I worked all my life in a very dusty job and nearly died as a result. You wouldn't think they would put a 12-month limit on a claim, especially when no-one knows anything about it."

The Department of Work and Pensions has re-examined the case after allowing Mr Pickvance to submit further information.

Mr Pickvance said: "I have read all the publicity and the time limit isn't mentioned anywhere. It should be on the front page."

A SPOKESMAN for the Department of Work and Pensions said they were now "optimistic a favourable decision" would be made early in the new year following new evidence being provided.

He also said new claim forms were being produced next year which should have clearer and more prominent guidance about time limits.

To make a claim contact Sheffield Occupational Health Advice Service, Queen Street, Sheffield on 0114 275 5760.

The Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers Compensation) Act 1979 covers a range of lung diseases. Call Freephone 0800 279 2322 for advice.

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