A FORMER mechanical engineer died from cancer caused by exposure to a dangerous substance at work, an inquest heard.
Richard Ferguson, of Water Lane in Totton, worked for Esso for 38 years where asbestos was frequently used during building.
His brother-in-law Michael Burbidge, of Ringwood Road in Totton, said he was surprised to learn it was being used by the company in 1972 despite a similar business banning it four years previously.
He told the inquest: “I said to him to be careful. A lot of people didn’t have masks or anything on.”
In a report Dr Hayley Burnley, consultant histopathologist at Winchester’s Royal Hampshire County Hospital, said Mr Ferguson died from bronchopneumonia due to mesothelioma. The 89-year-old died at Romsey Hospital on January 9.
Deputy coroner for central Hampshire, Simon Burge, ruled death by industrial disease. Mr Ferguson’s family said they were not taking legal action.
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