A MAN who died from asbestos poisoning after working at industrial company ICI had been told his period of exposure was ‘not life threatening’.

An inquest heard on Thursday how Harold Smith, of Halton Lodge, Runcorn was exposed to asbestos throughout his working life, which ultimately led to his death.

Mr Smith began working at ICI Pilkington in 1946 after leaving school. He worked for the company during which time he worked around pipes containing asbestos on a regular basis.

In a life statement read out to the court, Mr Smith recalled working in various plants and factories. Labourers would leave asbestos lying around on the floor and workers would then ‘throw it around like snow balls’.

He would assist the labourers to lag pipes, causing more asbestos to become airborne.

Mr Smith, who worked as an electrician, then went to work for Westbank power station in 1974. Large amounts of asbestos were mixed in buckets and despite being supplied with masks, the internal damage continued with the deceased spending 30 per cent of his working day around the chemical.

Brian McCormack, of Bury Road, Widnes revealed how he would see his former colleague covered in dust every working day.

Daughter Karen Nanson told the court how her father had made a solicitor’s claim in 1997 to find out the extent of damage caused by exposure. He was informed the amounts were ‘not life threatening’.

Pathologist Dr Dillshad Shakir, however, explained how the ‘significant levels’ caused scarring of the lungs, pneumonia and lung disease, leading to his death at Warrington Hospital in December.

When recording the verdict of death as ‘industrial disease’ Assistant Deputy Coroner for Cheshire, Jean Harkin said: “It’s clear from the evidence there was extensive exposure throughout his working life.”