By Staff Reporter

Last updated 09:27, Saturday, 16 August 2008

A FORMER Sellafield worker died as a result of being exposed to asbestos while he worked on the site, an inquest has heard.

William Bell, 71, of Griffin Close, Frizington, died in the West Cumberland Hospital on April 20. The cause of death was given as pulminary fibrosis as a result of exposure to the deadly fibres.

Mr Bell worked as a fitter’s mate at Sellafield from 1978 until his retirement in 1998, where his job involved dismantling and stripping pipework.

His daughter, Georgina Ellerman, confirmed that he never came into contact with asbestos outside of work.

In recording a verdict of industrial disease, John Taylor, coroner for north and west Cumbria, said: “I’m satisfied that in all probability he came into contact with asbestos during his working life.”

His ruling comes after the widow of a former BNFL employee won a six-figure sum in compensation after her husband died from an asbestos-related disease.

Ronald Rumney, 71, of Egremont, developed the fatal asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma, after he was exposed to the dust while working as an electrician for BNFL at Sellafield.

He worked for BNFL for 40 years after training to be an electrician with the company between 1952 and 1957.

He returned to work at the Sellafield site in 1960 until he retired in 1994. Ronald was diagnosed with mesothelioma in April 2007. He died three weeks later.

A Sellafield spokesman said: “While it would not be appropriate for us to comment on any specific circumstances, it is the case that for many years asbestos was a commonly used material at Sellafield, as it was in many other industries.”

“The dangers of working with asbestos are now well understood but events of the past have left industry with a legacy that it now needs to deal with. “We do though sympathise with anyone who has suffered as a result of asbestos exposure.“These days the very highest safety standards are in operation on all Sellafield Ltd sites, and asbestos removal is carried out by highly skilled professionals in a controlled environment.”