MOD admits asbestos exposure of Royal Aircraft space engineer

Mr B secured a five-year apprenticeship with the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough in 1962. He recalled that the factory was enormous with different departments and its own private airport. He was assigned to train in the space department but was fortunate enough to also gain experience in electronics, foundry and mechanics. He was offered a permanent job within the space department.

Mr B recalled how his supervisor would ask him to create an instrument and would then draw the design of what he wanted on the back of a cigarette packet. Mr B would order the raw materials from the store. Once received, he would then process the material by either cutting, grinding or sawing it until he achieved some sort of form that would allow him to machine it to the exact specification required.

As the instruments were to be sent into space via a rocket, it was vital that they were not overweight. This meant Mr B would have to machine the instrument further and quite often needed to it many times before it was approved. Once the design had been approved, Mr B would then start the arduous process of cleaning the instrument using what he later knew to be carcinogenic chemicals.

The only material available at the time that could withstand the heat the instrument would go through was asbestos. Mr B would work regularly machining quantities of asbestos. He recalled the clouds of dust that dispersed into the air around him as he did so. He was not provided with a mask or gloves at any point by his employer. He left in 1972.

Mr B was further exposed to asbestos when working for a small, family-run engineering factory in Farnborough, machining Ferodo, used in brake linings. He recalled the terrible conditions of the factory, with thick layers of dust sitting on the door frames.

Mr B, who medically retired in the early 2000s, received his diagnosis following months of chest pain and breathlessness. He had asked his GP for some antibiotics but his GP advised him to immediately attend his local accident and emergency centre for a chest x-ray after listening to his breathing.

Mr B was diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma in November 2023. He underwent palliative chemotherapy and a pleural drain was fitted to help ease his symptoms. He sadly died of the illness less than a year after receiving his diagnosis.

Natalie was first contacted by HASAG in January 2024. She attended Mr B's home and took a detailed statement from him. After establishing that the Royal Aircraft Establishment fell under the remit of the Ministry of Defence and that both former employers were insured at the time of the asbestos exposure, she then wrote to each insurer setting out the allegations and liability investigations commenced. Natalie then instructed renowned respiratory consultant Dr Andrew Leonard to review Mr B's evidence and produce a report to the Court.

The Ministry of Defence admitted full liability for Mr B's diagnosis just days before his passing. Natalie was able to secure a £50,000 interim payment for Mr B's Widow and is on course to settle the claim by the end of the year.

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For further information about mesothelioma compensation claims, please call call Natalie Amara on 03304607113 or email natalie.amara@fieldfisher.com.

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