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Former Mitcham scaffolding worker appeals for information following asbestos-related diagnosis

A former worker at Scaffolding Great Britain in Mitcham, South London, is appealing for information from his former work colleagues after his asbestos-related diagnosis.

Posted on 26 September 2019

Anthony Fitzpatrick, also known as Bill, worked at Scaffolding Great Britain (SGB) in Mitcham from 1964 – 1966.

Anthony, aged 74, who now lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, is appealing for information from his former colleagues after he was diagnosed with the asbestos-related disease, mesothelioma, earlier this year. 

Mitcham was the main depot for SGB and Anthony was based in the Building Equipment Division. This division hired out equipment including scaffolding poles, scaffolding boards, trestles and ladders. 

Anthony’s main job was to load and unload the equipment from lorries. Some of the scaffolding was not maintained properly while it was used out on sites and so Anthony remembers the poles sometimes coming back bent, covered in concrete, dirt or dust. Anthony believes his clothes were covered in dirt and dust from unloading the scaffolding.  

He wore his own clothes and he recalls not being provided with a mask or getting any warning about asbestos dust. He also believes that the floor in the warehouse was dusty and was not swept.

Before Christmas 2018, Anthony began to notice some chest pains. He went to see the GP who then sent Anthony for a CT scan and an ECG in around February or March 2019. 

The results from the scan and ECG led to Anthony being diagnosed with mesothelioma on his birthday on 26 April 2019. 

Daniel Easton, a specialist in asbestos disease cases at Leigh Day said: 

“Scaffolding was often used so asbestos laggers could get up high to the boilers and pipes.

“We believe Anthony was exposed to asbestos dust at Scaffolding Great Britain while he unloaded duty scaffolding. 

“We would be grateful if other SGB employees got in touch with any information. In particular, we are appealing for SGB employees who know if SGB scaffolding was used by asbestos laggers.

“Mesothelioma is a vicious disease and we hope that we can confirm where Anthony’s exposure to asbestos took place.”

All information will be treated in the strictest confidence. If you have any information that might assist in the first instance please telephone 020 7650 1226 and ask to speak to Daniel Easton or alternatively email deaston@leighday.co.uk.