Asbestos blamed for Shropshire sugar plant worker's death
A British Sugar worker died of lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos at the company's Shropshire factory, a coroner has ruled.
Gordon William Edward Cooke, 74, who worked at the Alscott plant from the 1960s until the 1990s died due to industrial disease, an inquest found.
Mr Cooke, who worked as a sugar boiler, also carried out maintenance work on the building where he came into contact with the deadly fibres.
Mr Cooke, of Appledore Gardens, Wellington, died of lung cancer on April 4, 2014.
A post-mortem examination revealed asbestos exposure had contributed to his condition – squamous carcinoma.
John Ellery, coroner for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, told Mr Cooke's wife, who attended the inquest at Wellington yesterday: "Mr Cooke worked at British Sugar in Allscott between 1965/1966 to 1996/1997 so that's 31 years. Locally we know that whilst there could be permanent work it was extremely busy during what was called the campaign when the sugar beet came into the factory and it was processed and the sugar came back out the other end.
"He was a sugar boiler and he also did maintenance work where he came into contact with asbestos."
He added: "There is a clear connection with your husband's work at British Sugar and his death and I therefore record a conclusion of industrial disease."
It is understood Mr Cooke's family have instructed solicitors to file a compensation claim against British Sugar.
Asbestos was used in the construction industry to strengthen plastic or cement and for insulation.
When products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air.
When asbestos fibres are breathed in, they may get trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long time.
Over time, these fibres can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation, which can affect breathing and lead to serious lung conditions.
