Asbestos

[Des Taff Jenkins]

When I left the sea and started in the building industry, a Scots carpenter gave me this piece of advice, when working with anything that has asbestos always put a handkerchief over your nose and mouth, I stuck with that.
Des

[Doc Vernon]

Not Asbestos i know but when working on the Gold Mines in South Africa at some 16000 feet, as a Blaster in the Stopes, ( only Max of 3 Foot Six in Height for 8 to 10 Hrs a day on ones Knees) there was a lot of Dust from the everyday blasting , and caused many many to develop Pneumoconiosis of the Lungs which is also a terrible thing to have , watched my dear Uncle die of it,( Silicosis) after being such a well Built and strong Man, just withered away.

In those days unfortunately the Ruling on safety measures down the Mine was not great at all, so the work practice that many followed was one of sheer neglect! Me too , as we were supposed to Wet everything down before and after a Blast which many never did!

I was one of the very lucky ones thogh, came through the 4 Years underground with clear Lungs! Lucky me!!

Pneumoconiosis Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options (drugs.com)

[Robert Barrett]

We’re many ships carrying a cargo of asbestos in the day ?

Wilson Line ships Carried Asbestos from Cyprus on a regular basis. Very dusty when cleaning up after discharge. (Little did we know then.)

[John Arton]

I was one of stolt tankers that had been on charter to them, Korean built and manned. Stolts decided to take it over, recoat it's tanks, upgrade it's cargo system and rebuild it's accommodation to suit European officers and Philippines crew. It was supposed to take 27 days in Vlaardingen shipyard in Rotterdam but she was actually there for 6 months due to, amongst other disasters in the engine room, discovering the main engine bed plate being cracked and having to wait for a new one from the makers in Japan.
The wheelhouse deck and officers deck were completely stripped out and rebuilt from scratch and messrooms and crew cabins all had the asbestos panelling clad in thin decorative panels with strict instructions posted to not damage them by screwing or fixing anything to them that could penetrate the new cladding and go into the original panelling that was asbestos based manufactured.
Rgds
J.A.

[Tony Taylor]

Not Asbestos i know but when working on the Gold Mines in South Africa at some 16000 feet, as a Blaster in the Stopes, ( only Max of 3 Foot Six in Height for 8 to 10 Hrs a day on ones Knees) there was a lot of Dust from the everyday blasting , and caused many many to develop Pneumoconiosis of the Lungs which is also a terrible thing to have , watched my dear Uncle die of it,( Silicosis) after being such a well Built and strong Man, just withered away.

In those days unfortunately the Ruling on safety measures down the Mine was not great at all, so the work practice that many followed was one of sheer neglect! Me too , as we were supposed to Wet everything down before and after a Blast which many never did!

I was one of the very lucky ones thogh, came through the 4 Years underground with clear Lungs! Lucky me!!

Pneumoconiosis Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options (drugs.com)

I think there is also a possibility that it is some people are more susceptible than others. An uncle of mine went down the pit (coal mine) at 14 years old and was made redundant at 64. He smoked quite heavily and when down the pit he chewed tobacco and took snuff. He believed all the excess saliva and mucus helped to trap the dust. Living all my life in a pit village I saw many guys go down with the "dust" as it was referred to, with less exposure than him.
One thing I did notice when I went down the pit myself was the fire damping system, which was continuous trays of stone dust suspended just under the tunnel roofs and the theory was that if there was an explosion then the shock wave would disturb these trays and the dust would be dumped into the environment and snuff the fire. I don't suppose anyone thought that the draught that flowed through the tunnels just might pick up dust and circulate it for people to breathe in ?

[Des Taff Jenkins]

My Grandfather was a mine inspector most of his life, until and explosion broke his back. but he still lived to 100 and 2 years, so I guess it's mostly luck.
Des

[Roger Millard]

#13. Tantallon Castle Loaded bales of Asbestos from S African ports for UK in the 60s. The dockers used billy hooks for handling the bales which resulted in the dust being released into the air around, also a tonnage hatch was loaded with smaller bags, I have asbestos in the lungs however after a recent Xray in hospital for an unrelated incident being knocked out by a linen prop on a windy day, it has not progressed Thank The Lord. After much practice, patience with a smile, age related issues I find become manageable, I will refrain from listing the issues as MOST of you do not need a reminder. Regards to all that are not offended HA! HA! Roger.

[Tony Taylor]

My Grandfather was a mine inspector most of his life, until and explosion broke his back. but he still lived to 100 and 2 years, so I guess it's mostly luck.
Des

My uncle was also HM Inspector of Mines and Quarries. Transferred from Nottingham area to Cardiff to carry out investigations into Aberfan, I believe it did affect him for quite some time afterwards.

[Ray Morrison]

ships had asbestos themselves, in engine rooms, mess room hot water tanks pipes , lagged pipes in alleywas,steam cargo winches beds and pipes, dryingroom pipes,albeit, inside lagging, but sometimes poor condition, cargo holds refrigeration,etc. etc.etc., and even in the wheelhouse, on the steering motor of an old coastal vessel around U.K. coast.Blew steam everywhere when in operation.

[j.sabourn]

There was even an asbestos blanket in the galley , the fire blanket, hope the cook didn’t think it was for drying the sweat off his brow. JS