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July 3, 2015

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Mesothelioma and me: an electrician’s experience

 

Simon Clark

Simon Clark, electrician

Today, 3rd July, is Action Mesothelioma Day, where we remember those who have died from mesothelioma.

It is a day that patients, their carers and all those affected can come together to share experiences and call on the government and employers to do more to protect workers.

As part of the BOHS Breathe Freely initiative to prevent occupational lung disease, Simon Clark, a former successful electrician explains how he contracted mesothelioma and why he now warns others to be aware of the dangers and protect themselves accordingly.

In September 2012, at the age of 52, Simon was a successful electrician, running his own contracting business, happily married with two children and leading an active life. This was also when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Despite developing lower chest pains and breathlessness nine months earlier, undergoing numerous tests, X-rays and scans, and suffering increasing pain to the point of not being able to work by August of that year, no cause had been found. His doctor referred him to a chest consultant, but before his first specialist appointment, Simon collapsed at home and was rushed to hospital. It was the paramedic in the ambulance who asked if he had ever worked with asbestos.

During training as an electrical apprentice over 30 years ago, Simon had worked extensively in schools, factories, hospitals and domestic properties, installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Any premises built before 2000 can have asbestos containing materials (ACMs), which are hazardous when breathed in. Simon, and thousands of tradesmen like him, had no idea at the time of the dangers of asbestos, or what products and materials might contain it.

After an operation and radiotherapy, Simon was given approximately two years to live. Thankfully, he has defied this prognosis, and is still living his life as actively, constructively and beneficially as possible: “I try to help and encourage others with this terrible disease and warn others of the dangers.
I now look at life in a different way, remaining positive and above all try to be happy.”

BOHS Breathe Freely and take control

Targeted specifically at managers and site supervisors within construction, the aim of Breathe Freely is to raise awareness of the problem of workplace exposures such as asbestos, silica dust, diesel exhaust fumes, wood dust, welding fume and legionella among others, and importantly, to also offer a solution. Most cases of occupational lung disease are preventable with the implementation of effective exposure control and Breathe Freely provides free guidance materials and best practice case studies to help employers to understand better protect the health of their workers.

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Prognosis With Mesothelioma
8 years ago

[…] Mesothelioma and me: an electrician’s experience – had no idea at the time of the dangers of asbestos, or what products and materials might contain it. After an operation and radiotherapy, Simon was given approximately two years to live. Thankfully, he has defied this … […]