Former Sheffield British Steel worker appeals for help following terminal asbestos cancer diagnosis
A former steelworker is appealing to his ex-colleagues for help after being diagnosed with terminal asbestos-related cancer.
David Long, from Deepcar, Sheffield, has been diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos.
Following his diagnosis, the 80-year-old instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how he came into contact with the hazardous material and whether more could have been done to protect him.
David and his legal team are now appealing to anyone who worked with him at British Steel during the 1960s and 1970s to come forward with information about the working conditions he may have faced. While employed by British Steel, the dad-of-three and granddad-of-four, was based at steelworks in Stocksbridge and Tinsley.
Nick Woods, the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing David, said: “David is understandably devastated by his diagnosis and what it may mean for the future. His case is the latest in many where the impact of asbestos only becomes apparent years after exposure is suspected to have taken place.
“Even though David’s work took place in the 1960s and 1970s, the dangers associated with asbestos were still known and employers had a duty to ensure the safety of their employees.
“While nothing will make up for what David is going through, we’re determined to provide him with the answers he deserves.
“David would be thankful to anyone who worked with him at either the Stocksbridge or Tinsley sites to come forward.”
David worked for British Steel between 1959 and 1979, spending time at the former Samuel Fox & Co steelworks in Stocksbridge – and the British Steel factory in Shepcote Lane, Tinsley.
He was employed as a roll turner, working with roll lathes to maintain and repair the large, heavy steel rolls used in mills. He was based across various departments including the melting shops, engineering workshops, cold rolled strip fitting team and traffic department.
After leaving the steel industry David owned a pet shop in Stocksbridge. He enjoyed making garden ornaments which he would sell in his shop.
David believes he was exposed to asbestos from lagged pipework and products used in the melting shop.
Towards the end of last year David began experiencing symptoms including breathlessness. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma on 30 December, 2024.
Due to stage four kidney disease, he’s unable to undergo chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
David said: “My diagnosis came as a huge shock, mainly because it was a disease I’d never heard anything about.
“I get breathless very easily and there are so many things that I can no longer do that I previously took for granted. I enjoyed the outdoors and would often go walking around Deepcar and Stocksbridge but I can’t do this because I get breathless and fatigued quickly.
“Sadly, I can’t undergo treatment which is terribly upsetting, and I’m aware that things are only going to worsen. However, I’m determined to try and make the most of life.
“While there’s nothing I can do to change what I’m going through, I would be grateful to anyone who could shed some light on the conditions at British Steel during my time there. It would mean a lot to have some answers as to what caused my illness.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Nick Woods at Irwin Mitchell on 0114 274 4292 or email [email protected]