Family Of Former Keighley Moulder and Labourer Killed By Asbestos Cancer Appeals For Information

The family of a former Keighley moulder and labourer who died from asbestos cancer are appealing for information from his ex-colleagues to help establish how he fell ill.

Ken Howard, from Keighley, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with mesothelioma.  The condition is a terminal cancer of the lining of the lungs most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos often decades previously.

He died four months later, aged 81, having lost 10 stone in weight.

Prior to his death in August 2021, Ken instructed asbestos-related disease experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and whether he was exposed to asbestos during his employment.

Ahead of Workers’ Memorial Day, his loved ones, including his wife Antoinette, 73, are now continuing the investigation and have joined with his legal team in appealing for information about the working conditions he faced. They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who worked at Keighley-based firms Walter Slingsby & Co Ltd and Keighley Laboratories Ltd.

Expert Opinion

Nicola Handley, a specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the man’s family, said: “It was very difficult for Ken’s family to care and support him after his diagnosis and regrettably he deteriorated quickly and died only four months after his diagnosis.

“There is currently no cure for mesothelioma, and our client’s death is yet another stark reminder of the terrible legacy left behind by asbestos which was heavily used in mills and foundries in Yorkshire.

“While there is nothing we can do to change what happened or what his loved ones have gone through, we’re determined to help get the answers that he sought before he died.

“As such, we would ask anyone who worked at Walter Slingsby or Keighley Laboratories to come forward with any information that they may have which may help us with our investigations. Any detail, no matter how small, could prove vital.

“I’ve acted for people diagnosed with asbestos-related disease and their families for over 15 years and we’re still required to carry out complex investigations in relation to how exposure to asbestos may have occurred for every claim whilst a client and their family are trying to come to terms with a devastating diagnosis.

“It’s often difficult for people to recall what work they were doing and how they may have been exposed to asbestos over 50 years ago. It’s also important to consider the work that others may have been doing around them and the materials being used.” Nicola Handley, Asbestos-Related Disease lawyer

Between 1961 to 1965, and 1968 to 1971, Ken was employed by Walter Slingsby & Co Ltd, also known as Slingsby’s as a moulder on the production line.  As part of the production process, a powder which may have been asbestos was used to pack boxes for metal castings.  At the time, dust was released into the air and on the floor, which then had to be swept up.

Ken later worked for Keighley Laboratories Ltd in 1972 and remained there until his retirement in 2007.  During his time here, he was employed as a labourer and worked with furnaces which were used to heat metal products.  He believed the furnace linings may have contained asbestos and that he would have been exposed to asbestos dust released during maintenance work on the furnaces.

Ken was diagnosed with mesothelioma in April 2021 and his condition deteriorated rapidly and he died that August. At the time of his death, he and Antionette had been married for 26 years.

Antoinette said: “When Ken was diagnosed with mesothelioma, it was a huge shock to both of us.

“As the weeks passed, he became very short of breath and needed a chest drain.  He was admitted to hospital and following his discharge required a substantial amount of care and support at home.

“During his lifetime, Ken believed that his work would have led to him being exposed to asbestos and he wanted to get some answers.  I would therefore be grateful if anyone that worked with him could get in touch and help us with the investigation.”

Anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is asked to contact Nicola Handley on 0113 220 6233 or by e-mail at Nicola.handley@irwinmitchell.com

Workers’ Memorial Day is on 28 April and remembers those who have died as a result of their employment and campaigns to improve health and safety standards in the workplace and increase protection for employees.

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