John Holdsworth, of Brighouse, died this June after rapid deterioration in health due to mesothelioma. Mr Holdsworth, 71, began feeling ill this January with an ache in his right ribs. Five months later he had died. His family were not even aware he had the disease.
In September an inquest heard how Mr Holdsworth had worked for Brighouse BC and later Calderdale MBC maintaining the district’s pools from the late 1960s to the late 1980s. When asbestos was discovered at Sowerby Bridge and Brighouse baths Mr Holdsworth was involved in its removal. His family are now considering a compensation claim against the council.
Just a few miles down the road in Bradford, it has emerged that at the massive Associated Weavers factory, which has now been demolished, pipes at the plant were lagged with asbestos, and workers are dying.
Bradford Asbestos Support Group founder and trade unionist Terry Britton says at least 10 former employees have been killed by asbestosis. He was the first to take a test offered by voluntary group the Workers’ Health Advice Team, which shows potential damage to lung function ...
