by Agency staff

A school caretaker who was in the middle of High Court action against three employers who he blamed for exposing him to asbestos, died before he could get the case into court, an inquest has been told.

David Hummerstone died of industrial disease caused by asbestos and had filed a statement with the High Court revealing that in all three jobs - the latest of which was as caretaker at EP Collier Primary school - he was working in areas containing the asbestos.

Although dead, the 77-year-old was able to give evidence at his own inquest because he had prepared legal statements which were to be used in his High Court action.

Assistant coroner for Berkshire, Emma Jones, read out paperwork prepared for a High Court judge in a writ against his former employers.

The inquest in Reading heard that Mr Hummerstone had peritoneal cancer which occurs in the abdominal walls and is known to be caused by asbestos exposure.

Ms Jones said: "I have a statement by David Hummerstone himself because he had a case at the High Court for asbestos-related disease."

She told how on July 5 Mr Hummerstone died at his home in De Montford Road, Caversham, of cancer.

He was employed by a firm called Columbus Dixon from 1961-62 and again between1965-66, where he worked with industrial floor cleaning machines. He was employed as a design craftsman.

His statement read: "The company was based in the building of an old cinema. I had to go down into the storage area three or four times a week to clean. It had asbestos material downstairs. The lagging was often dislodged.

"I wore my own clothing. I was not provided with a mask or any form of protective equipment."

He later was employed at Thorn EMI music company as a procurement engineer.

He said: "Within my duties there were asbestos panels and coverings that had to be removed. This was very dusty work and the dust would go everywhere. I would be walking through the asbestos lagging.

"I went down to this floor once or twice a day. I am not aware of any precautions to remove the asbestos. I wore my own clothes, had no mask or protective equipment provided."

Before retiring he worked at the EP Collier Primary School in Reading, from 1993-96 as a caretaker and was responsible for all of its maintenance.

"I believe there was asbestos material in parts of the school's site. There was asbestos lag panels in the boiler room.

"I believe there may have been some asbestos lag panels in the loft. I wore my own clothes to work and was not given a mask."

Recording her verdict, the coroner said: "His cause of death is given as (1) extensive mesothelioma, and (2) hypotensive heart disease and cirrhosis.

"He was exposed to asbestos in three possible jobs.

"I conclude that his death was due to industrial disease."

David's partner Christine is to continue plans to take legal action against some of his former employers.