What is Asbestos?


Asbestos means "inextinguishable, unquenchable or inconsumable". The naturally occurring mineral had a primary use of thermal insulation, due to its heat resistant qualities; it's incredible strength; and resistance to chemical corrosion.


Referred to as the "Magic Mineral" in the late 1800’s and used extensively in the UK from the 1930's onwards, Asbestos came in a number of forms, such as raw, paste, sheeting or rope.


Types of Asbestos


Six varieties of asbestos exist:


  • Chrysolite: (White asbestos) - white, soft, curly fibres and accounts for approximately 95% of the world production of asbestos. By and large accepted as less carcinogenic than brown or blue asbestos
  • Amosite: (Brown asbestos) - pale brown needle-like fibres and more carcinogenic than white asbestos
  • Crocidolite: (Blue asbestos) - needle-like fibres and considered by far the most important and dangerous type of asbestos for the development of pleural mesothelioma
  • Actinolite, Athophylite and Tremolite - rarely used for commercial purposes in the UK, unlike the extent of Chrysolite, Amosite and Crocidolite

For 5 years, Mr R worked as a utility man for an automotive company. His normal duties involved undertaking repairs to vehicles along the production line of the factory. Occasionally the welders would blow holes into the car panels and Mr R would be required to mix up a paste of asbestos and water with his hands and apply it to the damaged area. The asbestos would be supplied in large bags which Mr R would have to open with a knife. This released a great amount of asbestos dust into the atmosphere around him. His employers failed to warn Mr R about the potential dangers of asbestos nor was he provided with any protective equipment.


Almost 40 years later, Mr R was diagnosed with asbestosis. Our experienced team of industrial disease lawyers immediately investigated Mr R’s claim for compensation upon his instruction and quickly secured for him £128,000 in compensation.


The most common places using Asbestos include:


  • power stations
  • ships
  • houses
  • garages
  • factories
  • schools
  • hospitals
  • swimming/public baths
  • offices
  • warehouses
  • boiler rooms
  • hot or steam pipe lagging
  • shuttering

To name only a few of the most common places where asbestos can still be found.


What products contain asbestos?


Asbestos was a fire-proofing material (eg sprayed insulation, fire door insulation) and for asbestos cement/fibrocement products (eg roof and wall claddings), such as, artexing, electrical switchboards, insulators and fittings, vinyl floor coverings, asbestos felts and paper-like products, friction materials (eg brake and clutch linings), paints, sealants and adhesives, gaskets, textiles (eg woven cloths, blankets), asbestos socks, phone boxes and gas masks.


"At risk" occupations include:


  • carpenters
  • construction workers
  • demolition workers
  • electricians
  • merchant navy
  • metal plate workers
  • plumbers & gas fitters
  • production fitters
  • railway industry workers (eg carriage building)
  • roofers
  • sheet metal workers
  • shipbuilding/dock yard workers
  • thermal insulation engineers/laggers (eg pipe and boiler insulation)
  • transport/haulage workers
  • vehicle body workers (eg brake & clutch linings and spray paint)
  • welders

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