December 8th, 2004
Recent publication of secret memos has revealed how the bosses of an asbestos company were well aware of the dangers faced by their employees, but tried to cover up the evidence. The papers related to the Washington Chemical Company and sister firm Newalls Insulation in Newcastle.
The documents range from the 1930s to the 1970s, and show how company employees were put at risk knowingly by company directors and how these employees were kept in the dark about the dangers of the work that they were doing. There is also microfilm that shows how these bosses tried to cover up the effects of asbestos and attempted to thwart the extension of government restrictions relating to asbestos.
Out of the 20,000 people that worked at these two companies, only eight hundred people received a medical. In addition to this, masses of waste asbestos was left near residential areas, putting local residents and playing children at risk from the deadly material as well as the employees of the company. The company even tried to change its employment rules to cut back on compensation payments.
Amongst the various documents was a letter that proved that the company did not see fir to warn employees of the dangers of asbestos, even though the bosses were well aware of them One letter stated: "It has not been practical for Newalls to adopt a system of warning men of the risk of contracting asbestosis or other respiratory disability."
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