Factory workers' asbestos claim

Many workers handled asbestos in the factory

Hundreds of former employees of a south Wales factory are taking legal action after developing asbestos-related illnesses.

More than 100 people who worked at the Dunlop Semtex factory in Brynmawr have been awarded compensation for chest problems.

Lawyers, who are preparing more cases, say symptoms can take 30 years to show.

The factory, now demolished, made floor tiles and carpet underlay and used asbestos to make them fire-resistant.

Insurance firm Zurich, which is handling claims on behalf of Dunlop Semtex, has said it is trying to settle claims as quickly as possible.

More than 100 former workers have been awarded compensation ranging from £5,000 to £36,000 after developing chest illnesses.

The factory in Blaenau Gwent was once a famous landmark before its demolition four years ago. Many people wanted to see it preserved as a tourist attraction.

Built in the 1950s, at its height it employed up to 600 workers. The plant made products including floor tiles, carpet underlay, and pipe lagging. Some of the products contained asbestos to make them fire-retardant.

The factory was closed in 1982 and was demolished in 2001.

Many workers have since developed chest problems which, it is claimed, were related to working with asbestos.

Roy Williams reguarly handled asbestos in his 11 years

Roy Williams worked there between 1963 and 1974 and regularly handled asbestos. He now suffers from thickening of the lining of his lungs.

One of his lungs is only performing at 45% efficiency. He uses inhalers and a nebuliser four times a day to help him breathe.

"There was asbestos everywhere, floating in the air all the time," he said.

"You could write your name in the dust on the walls there - it was absolutely terrible.

"After the factory inspectors came, they brought the mask in - only a paper thing with an elastic band on it. They used to pay us a penny an hour - eight pence a shift - to wear them."

Dr Philip Edben, a chest consultant at Swansea's Singleton Hospital said: "We expect to see these (cases) rising over the next 20 years. The reason is that it can take up to 30 or 40 years to develop the problem. Many of these workers were exposed that time ago."