Families Of Stonemasons Killed By Silicosis Reveal Impact On Their Lives As They Join Lawyers In Call For Employers To Do More To Protect Workers

The widows of two former stonemasons are warning of the dangers of silica dust after lawyers secured settlements in connection with their husbands’ deaths.

The men from Bradford developed silicosis, a long-term lung condition caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over many years. The dust can be found in minerals including stone and the Health and Safety Executive say it’s “the single biggest risk to construction workers after asbestos.”

West Yorkshire - but particularly Bradford and Leeds - with its quarries and stoneyards is a recognised hotspot for silicosis, with large numbers of stonemasons in the region, many of whom have gone on to seek advice following their diagnosis, say expert lawyers at Irwin Mitchell.

Families instruct specialist occupational disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to establish answers

Following the men’s diagnoses, they instructed specialist occupational disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help establish how they came into contact with the silica dust that caused their illness. Both sadly died before they could see their cases concluded, leaving their families to take on the quest for answers in their memory.

After identifying that their exposure most likely took place at some of the same stone production firms in Bradford and Leeds, Irwin Mitchell’s legal experts successfully secured settlements for both families. Care costs were also recovered for the Marie Curie Hospice where the pair spent the final weeks of their lives.

Launch of online Silica Exposure Register

It was established that both men had worked together and each was able to supply the other with a supporting statement. The story comes as an online Silica Exposure Register is launched by Irwin Mitchell, allowing workers to record details of exposure to silica dust.

The register provides a way for those who believe they may have been exposed to silica dust through the course of their work to record their experiences, in case the data is needed at a later date; vital when silicosis doesn’t develop until years after initial exposure has taken place.

Oliver Collett is the specialist occupational disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting the families

Expert Opinion

“Silicosis is an extremely debilitating disease and once developed, it’s incurable, as the damage caused to the lungs is irreversible.

“Symptoms include a persistent cough, shortness of breath and fatigue and in the most serious cases, can be fatal. It can also increase the risk of developing serious and life-threatening conditions, such as tuberculosis, auto-immune conditions and lung cancer.

“We’re seeing more cases involving workers diagnosed with silicosis, which is why we’ve created a Silica Exposure Register, so workers can store and retrieve their work history for future use.

“The register will help workers support each other, particularly if a case is against the same employer.

“Silica is often termed as the news asbestos and its threat should never be underestimated. Therefore it’s vital that people are aware of the dangers of silica and employers ensure the safety of their workforce. We’re also seeing much more about the dangers of engineered stone worktops and this is only likely to increase in the years ahead.

“Decisive action is needed to help prevent silica creating the same disastrous legacy as asbestos.” Oliver Collett

Silicosis: Paul Gray's story

Paul Gray had worked as a stone dresser most of his adult life between 1997 to 2017. During his career, he worked on quarried stone to produce paving slabs. Paul specialised in reclaimed stone and worked with power tools, including saws and hand tools, including chisels.

Prior to his death, Paul, of Shipley, Bradford, told his legal team at Irwin Mitchell that he was never provided with overalls made from low dust retention fabric, there were no changing or cleaning facilities and no processes in place for the removal of contaminated clothing at the sites he worked. Paul also stated that he was never provided with any respiratory protective equipment (RPE) during his career.

Paul had been in good health until he started to experience breathing difficulties in October 2017. Following tests he was diagnosed with silicosis in November 2017.

Paul found himself in and out of hospital, suffering chest infections; developing pneumonia in 2021. His condition deteriorated and he was admitted to the Marie Curie hospice in Bradford on 6 September, 2021, where he died aged 57, with his family by his side on 11 September, 2021.

Joanne Gray pays tribute to a wonderful husband and an amazing father

Paul’s wife, Joanne Gray, 57, said: “Paul’s loss has been simply devastating, both for me and our son Daniel. We had to watch Paul slowly decline for nearly four years and you feel so helpless.

“Daniel and I did what we could caring for Paul but the illness had a terrible mental and physical effect on a once strong and independent man. Even now approaching three years on, it’s so hard to accept Paul isn’t coming back. We still had so many plans for our future that have been taken away from us.

“The settlement would have meant a lot to Paul but it can’t bring back a wonderful husband and an amazing father.

“Silicosis is the most terrible disease. Nobody deserves to go through what Paul did as a result of their job. Hopefully by telling Paul’s story we can add our voice to those calling for greater awareness of this disease and safety at work. If this causes just one employer to think more about safety, Paul’s death won’t have been totally in vain.”

Silicosis: Stuart Johnson's story

Stuart Johnson, of Charnwood Road, Bradford, worked as a stone dresser. He worked on reclaimed sandstone and gritstone known as Delph, known to have a very high silica content.

Stuart used a power saw and rock drills, which produced clouds of dust, before using a hammer and chisel to dress the stone. Prior to his death, Stuart recalled that he was not provided with any breathing protection or warned of the dangers of inhaling stone dust.

Before developing symptoms, Stuart was a fit and active man and loved extended walks with wife Carol and the family dogs. He would walk the dogs 45 minutes every morning and 90 minutes in the evening. He spent a lot of time on DIY and redesigned the home garden every year.

In 2013 Stuart started to develop a persistent cough. He was diagnosed with COPD but by 2016, Stuart’s breathing deteriorated and in February 2017 he collapsed at work and was unable to return.

He was diagnosed with silicosis in May 2018. He died surrounded by his extended family on 7 July, 2019 aged 63.

Carol Johnson pays tribute to her 'husband and best friend'

Carol, 63, said: “Having to watch this terrible illness take Stuart away from us over several years was a terrible experience. I’ve lost my husband and best friend and the children and grandchildren no longer have the man who loved them all so much.

“Stuart was very old school and had his set patterns. Friday was always pool night and he would walk the dogs on the dot at the same times every day. The grandchildren were his absolute world and he loved to babysit them whenever he could – the family were such a huge part of his life.

“It was devastating for him as the illness meant he could no longer do things he loved. Gardening was a passion.

“It’s terrible to think both men suffered as a result of silicosis and if we can help raise awareness, Stuart would be pleased. I hope some good can come for others out of his story and that no other families have to suffer as ours have over recent years.”

For more information about how to claim for silicosis or how to register your past silica exposure, visit the Irwin Mitchell Silica Exposure Register.