THE family of a gas fitter are appealing to his former workmates for help in establishing how he came into contact with the asbestos that claimed his life.

Michael Speak, of Gomersal, died within nine weeks of being diagnosed with mesothelioma - a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Following Michael’s death aged 72, his widow Pauline Speak, 74, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her husband’s illness and if it was linked to his work history.

The family are looking to trace anyone who remembers Michael from his time as a gas fitter for the Gas Board in the Spen Valley area, from 1965 to 1970 and during his employment at the British Belting and Asbestos (BBA) factory in Cleckheaton, from 1970 until 1972. 

Michael was also employed with the National Coal Board as a coal miner from 1979 to 1988.

Pauline believes much of his work, while employed at the Gas Board, was in residential properties and Michael felt he may have encountered asbestos on several occasions.

While employed on the factory line at BBA, Michael’s role involved the fitting of brake pads which may have contained asbestos into brake blocks.

Michael, who had two children, began to experience symptoms of breathlessness.

He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in April 2020 - nine weeks before he passed away on June 30.

Pauline said: “When Michael first began to feel unwell, we didn’t think too much of it, as he had always been so fit, but as he lost weight we became really concerned. 

“The mesothelioma diagnosis was such a shock. It was the last thing we expected to hear and in less than two months, he was gone.

“Even now, it’s so hard to accept that we’ll never see him again. The speed of it took us all by surprise and there just wasn’t enough time to do all that we wanted to do. We all miss him so much and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him.

“Michael told me some things about his work history and wanted to find out more about how he was exposed to asbestos, but in those last few weeks together his health was our priority. 

“It now feels like the right time to find out how he was exposed to asbestos. If any of his old workmates could help us, I’d really appreciate it and with the truth, we can honour his memory and let him rest in peace.”

Anyone with information that could help Pauline, is asked to contact Lucy Andrews at Irwin Mitchell at 0113 394 6782 or email lucyandrews@irwinmitchell.com