A South Wales man diagnosed with a devastating asbestos related cancer is appealing for former colleagues to come forward with information about the conditions he worked in decades ago.
Mr Keith Yeo, 80, from Pontypridd, has been diagnosed with mesothelioma - a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
He worked at Homerton Rubber Works in Treforest in the 1960s, before joining the South Wales Electricity Board in 1968 where he stayed until his retirement.
Now, with legal support from Thompsons Solicitors through his union membership with Unite, he is seeking help to support his claim against his former employers.
During his time at Homerton Rubber Works he recalls coming into contact with asbestos, including asbestos-lagged steam pipes running throughout the factory, particularly in the mould shop where tyres were heated.
After leaving Homerton, Mr Yeo joined the South Wales Electricity Board in 1968, where he worked until his retirement. During this time, he also remembers removing storage heaters which contained asbestos, as well as visiting old buildings that were being renovated or converted across the area to remove electricity metres as part of his duties.
He is now urging anyone who worked at Homerton Rubber Works during this period — or alongside him at the South Wales Electricity Board — to come forward with information about working conditions, asbestos use or safety practices at the time.
Anyone with information that could assist is encouraged to contact Kirsty Lambourne at Thompsons Solicitors on 07581060731 or email kirstylambourne@thompsons.law.
The appeal follows Global Asbestos Awareness Week (1–7 April), which raises awareness of the ongoing dangers of asbestos exposure.
Despite being banned in the UK more than 25 years ago, asbestos still causes around 5,000 deaths each year in Great Britain, with the disease often taking decades to develop.
These materials can become dangerous when disturbed during maintenance or renovation work, and diseases linked to asbestos exposure can take decades to develop.
Thompsons Solicitors supports the TUC’s Time to Get Rid of It campaign which calls for a fully funded national plan to remove asbestos from public buildings and prevent further loss of life.