Appeal For Information Regarding Conditions At Greenock Shipyard

A former shipyard cleaner from Greenock who was diagnosed with asbestos-related disease  in December 2015 has joined with specialist lawyers to call on his old workmates to come forward and help him gain answers and justice regarding his illness.

John McGartland Couper, 78, sought medical advice in autumn 2015 after developing breathlessness, with subsequent tests confirming that he was suffering from both asbestosis and pleural thickening.

Following the diagnosis, John, who was born in Greenock but currently lives in Solihull, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him gain answers regarding how his health problems emerged.

Now, after John outlined how he may have been exposed to asbestos while working as a cleaner for George Brown & Co (Marine) Ltd between 1957 and 1960, the lawyers are keen to hear from anyone who may have worked him or can shed further light on the presence of the deadly material at the site.

Nicola McCartney, the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell Scotland who is representing John, said: 

Expert Opinion

“This is another terrible case in which the devastating consequences of asbestos exposure have become evident many years after the initial contact with the material is thought to have taken place.

“Through our work we have seen how asbestos has had a truly awful impact on a huge number of lives, often as a result of employers failing to provide adequate enough protection to keep workers safe from exposure.

“We are determined to help our client get answers regarding his illness and would be hugely grateful to anyone who can shine a light on the working conditions at the George Brown shipyard across the period in question.” Nicola McCartney - Solicitor

John began working at George Brown & Co (Marine) Ltd’s shipyard in Greenock when he was aged just 18, with his role involving sweeping up much of the dust and dirt created by tradesmen as they worked on ships.

He recalled: “I often had to work very closely to the tradesmen and just swept up as they worked to save myself a bigger job when they had finished.

“When the ships were being built there was always a lot of pipework on show and plumbers and pipefitters were often hard at work lagging it. To the best of my knowledge this was usually with an asbestos material.

“That kind of work created a huge amount of dust and it would often kick up into the air as I was sweeping. Throughout this time no masks or protective equipment were ever provided to protect us.

“My illness has had a huge impact on my life and I am extremely frustrated by the notion that it developed as a result of a job I held many years ago. I feel I deserve answers about how this happened and why more was not done to protect me. It would be hugely appreciated if anyone with information which could help my case is able to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nicola McCartney at Irwin Mitchell Scotland on 0141 300 4355 or email Nicola.McCartney@IrwinMitchell.com.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in asbestosis claims.