Asbestos killed former sprayer

12:19pm Thursday 5th June 2008

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A MAN who once worked as an asbestos sprayer told his family that the insulation material never killed anybody, an inquest was told But the hearing heard that Gordon Bartley died, aged 83, of an asbestos-related disease.

And coroner Michael Singleton said that while he hated to be the one to prove Mr Bartley wrong - he was.

Olwyn Craven told the inquest her father started work for a Horwich-based firm of asbestos sprayers in 1961.

His first job was at the telephone exchange, in Jubilee Street, Blackburn, and he remained with the firm until 1963.

"We used to read about claims for asbestos-related disease and say he should put one in," said Mrs Craven.

"He said asbestos never killed anyone and not to be so daft."

The inquest heard that Mr Bartley, of Northwood Nursing Home, Preston New Road, Blackburn, died of bronchopneumonia due to asbestos-related lung cancer.

Mr Singleton recorded a verdict that death was due to the industrial disease of asbestosis.