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Keith's compensation plea
A RETIRED Sheffield Council joiner battling an aggressive asbestos-related cancer is appealing for fellow former workers to join him in his fight for compensation.
Keith Hawkins, aged 79, from Stannington, was diagnosed with mesothelioma last month.
He believes the rare cancer was caused by coming into contact with asbestos fibres and dust during the construction of Myers Grove School and while repairing airing cupboards and guttering on Sheffield housing estates between 1954 and 1993.
Mr Hawkins repaired a series of asbestos-lined airing cupboards and gutters while working on the heating systems initially fitted in the Gleadless Valley and Park Hill estates.
The joiner also used asbestos fibreboard to line the corridors at Myers Grove and was present when pipes were being lagged with an asbestos-based mixture.
Mr Hawkins is now appealing for other employees who worked at the sites to contact his legal team in a bid to have his case resolved as soon as possible and raise awareness among others who might have been exposed to the material.
Simon Allen, managing partner of Mr Hawkins' solicitors Russell Jones & Walker in Sheffield, said: "We are looking for other former employees who remember the heating system and can confirm that asbestos fibreboard was used to line the brickwork of the cupboard in which the boiler was kept.
"The sawing of asbestos fibreboard is particularly dangerous and creates significant amounts of dust, which spreads the risk to others. We are certain the council was aware of the dangers of asbestos usage at the time of Mr Hawkins' exposure."
Asbestos was widely used after World War Two as a fire and heat resistant insulating material.
Call 0114 2766868 or email rjw@lucre.co.uk.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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