Blog: Honouring his memory, a personal story of asbestos exposure

In this blog, Susanne Kennedy, Programme Manager for HSE, shares a heartfelt story about her Uncle Robert, whose life was tragically affected by asbestos exposure.

My beloved Uncle Robert worked in the building industry, starting out as a young man in the 1970s. He progressed to a supervisor role, primarily working on oil-based heating solutions. After his retirement, Uncle Robert continued to repair and service domestic boilers across the length and breadth of Scotland, from Dumfries up to the Highlands.

He established a large base of loyal customers. They appreciated his willingness to drive long distances when their house boilers failed, often in freezing and treacherous conditions. Uncle Robert was a true lifesaver, arriving with a warm smile and skilled hands to get their heating and hot water back on, no matter the weather.

A Devoted Fan and Devastating Diagnosis

In addition to his professional dedication, Uncle Robert was an avid Glasgow Celtic supporter. His passion for the team took him all over the UK, including frequent trips to Manchester to see me whenever Celtic were playing. One match that stands out in my memory was when Celtic faced Manchester United in the Champions League in September 2006. Celtic’s No. 25 Shunsuke Nakamura scored a wonder free kick to equalise just before half-time, silencing the Man United supporters. Although we ended up losing 3-2, the experience felt like a victory, a cherished memory I hold dear.

A few years later, in 2013, my uncle started experiencing health problems. His strength faded, and he started experiencing breathlessness. After a thorough medical assessment, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. The diagnosis was devastating, and it had all been triggered by asbestos exposure from his early days in the building trade.

The Unseen Danger of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos use was banned in 2000, but that was too late for countless workers like my uncle who had already been exposed. Once asbestos is disturbed, its fibres are released into the air and can be breathed in, causing lung disease and various types of cancer.

Back then, asbestos was commonly used in the construction industry, and workers like Uncle Robert unknowingly put their lives at risk. As a fireproof insulator, it could have been in the insulating boards around boilers and pipe lagging my uncle worked on every day. Uncle Robert and his workmates even used to sit on asbestos bales during lunch breaks, eating their sandwiches without a second thought. Nobody knew the invisible threat they were facing. It was an era of ignorance.

But asbestos isn’t something that used to kill people before the ban. It still does. The fact asbestos containing materials are still present in so many buildings built or refurbished before the turn of the century means it’s still a risk to tradespeople today. Left alone, asbestos isn’t dangerous. But once it’s drilled into, cut, or disturbed in any way, those fibres become a risk.

Around 5000 people still die from asbestos-related diseases every year.

The suffering Uncle Robert endured before his death was heartbreaking and appalling. The lung cancer ravaged his body, and the pain he experienced was unbearable. Our family suffered too, having to witness such a strong and healthy man decline into a shadow of his former self.

My Uncle Robert passed away in May 2015 in a hospice in Glasgow.

A Lasting Legacy

The Asbestos & You campaign helps to ensure tradespeople like my Uncle Robert know the risks. Any job, on any day, they could find and disturb it, breathing in those fibres or take them home to their family on clothing. So, make sure you know the basics about what asbestos can look like, where you’re likely to find it, and what to do when you do.

Asbestos-containing materials can be anywhere throughout any building built before 2000, from the floor tiles to the roof. No matter what trade you’re in, it’s a direct risk. If you’re an electrician, it could be around the fuse box. If you’re drilling into walls, it could be in the cavities. Even if you’re just redecorating, it could be in the decorative coating you’re stripping off the walls and ceilings.

We all miss Uncle Robert dreadfully. To this day, I still travel to every Celtic home game and sit in his seat with my Aunt Jean, his widow. We hold his memory close, and in the words synonymous with Celtic Football Club…

You’ll Never Walk Alone, Uncle Robert. 

 

Asbestos could be hidden in unexpected places on your job site. The “Asbestos & You” campaign helps all tradespeople recognise and manage the risks of asbestos exposure effectively:

 

 

Protect yourself and others from asbestos exposure. Every job, every day, awareness is key.