A man who previously worked as a shipyard worker died because of a combination of natural causes and industrial disease, an inquest has heard.
Brian Rigg, 71, died at his home in Barrow, Cumbria in March of this year. Prior to his death, he suffered several health problems including a heart attack and blood clot. Asbestos particles were also present in his lungs.
At the inquest, which was held at Barrow Town Hall, Mr RIgg’s brother, Michael, spoke about his work in Barrow shipyard, where mr rigg worked for 40 years, before retiring in 2001.
Assistant deputy coroner Alan Sharp ruled that Mr Rigg passed away due to a combination of three natural causes – heart disease, diffuse pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – and industrial disease.
Mr Sharp said: “The cause of Mr Rigg’s death was natural causes contributed by an industrial disease. It is clear from the post mortem report that there were asbestos bodies found.
“It is common knowledge workers in the Barrow shipyard were exposed to asbestos when working there.”
Pathologist Muammer Al-Mudhaffer confirmed that tiny remnants of asbestos were found, and concluded that “the asbestos exposure weakened the heart”.