The widow of a former Manchester security guard has appealed for his ex colleagues to come forward after he died from an asbestos related illness. An inquest concluded his death was due to industrial disease.
Alf Whittaker, from Middleton, died on 25 July 2024 aged 86, just weeks after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a terminal cancer linked to asbestos exposure.
His family is now seeking information about the conditions he worked in during his career, particularly during his time at a site in Hendham Vale where asbestos brake linings were manufactured.
Mr Whittaker began working at the company, then known as Don International Limited, in 1979 as a security guard. His duties included monitoring visitors and carrying out patrols.
He later reported that dust covered overalls were frequently left in the security lodge, which he handled and stored before collection. He also swept up dust and entered factory areas to collect time cards, where asbestos materials were in use.
Around 1995, after security services were outsourced, he moved onto a production line within the factory and worked there until leaving in 2001. His role placed him near processes involving the grinding of brake linings.
His health began to decline in 2022 and by late 2023 he was experiencing increasing breathlessness. He was admitted to hospital in May 2024 and diagnosed with mesothelioma the following month.
Following his death, his wife Wendy instructed specialist lawyers to investigate where the exposure may have occurred. She is now marking Workers Memorial Day on 28 April by asking former colleagues to share any information about working conditions at the site.
Helen Tomlin, the solicitor representing the family, said Alf’s death highlighted the long term impact of asbestos exposure and the importance of understanding historical workplace conditions.
Wendy said her husband had always been independent and described the final months of his life as difficult for the family. She said they wanted answers about how he was exposed to asbestos and hoped others who worked at the site could help.
Anyone with information about the working conditions Alf faced is asked to contact Helen Tomlin at Irwin Mitchell on 0161 259 1674 or by email at Helen.Tomlin@irwinmitchell.com
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