Information Sought On Key Glassworks In Harlow

A father-of-two from Harlow diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer has joined with legal experts to launch an appeal to his former workmates to come forward and help him discover how he developed the illness.

Terry Coombes was told at the end of October last year that he was suffering from mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lungs which is most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos decades previously.

After receiving the devastating news, Terry instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness.  The legal experts are now seeking more information as to whether it may be linked to his work history.

More specifically, they are keen to hear from anyone who may have any insight into whether Terry’s exposure to asbestos could have taken place during his time working at Key Glassworks in Harlow for a period around 1966.

Expert Opinion

“Terry and his family remain understandably devastated by their recent news and are keen for information regarding how his diagnosis of mesothelioma has come about.

After examining his work history, we believe that exposure may have taken place at this employer. However, we now require more information to prove whether that was indeed the case.

As such, we would be hugely grateful to anyone who is able to come forward and provide information on the working conditions that Terry would have faced during his time at Key Glassworks. Any detail could prove vital in our efforts.”
Rosemary Giles - Partner

Terry believes he was employed at Key Glassworks – later known as United Glass – on Edinburgh Way in Harlow from 1966 and stayed at the company for around 14 months. He was employed as a machine operator and was responsible for moulding liquid glass into bottles and jars.

He said: “I was not a huge fan of the job and couldn’t imagine how people could work there long-term. I would do my bit and then the products would pass to cooling equipment and then along a conveyor for packing.

“At one point in the process I remember that the jars and bottles would be put on a long table and looking back I now believe this featured solid asbestos pads. It is the only time in my working life I can recall ever coming into contact with the material.”

He first began to feel unwell at the beginning of September last year when he started feeling breathless.  He went to see his GP and was sent for a chest x-ray on the same day.

Discussing how his illness has affected him, Terry added: “Getting the diagnosis was very difficult and it has been one of the toughest periods of my life. I’ve had chemotherapy in the months since and that has also been hard, with my first session leaving me feeling very unwell.

“It is just hard to take that one of my jobs could have caused this and I feel like I deserve some answers regarding what has happened.”

Anyone with information which may assist this case is asked to contact Rosemary Giles at Irwin Mitchell’s Cambridge office on 01223 791810 or e-mail rosemary.giles@irwinmitchell.com.

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