The 66-year-old Polmont man is backing the national Health and Safety Executive campaign 'Asbestos: The Hidden Killer' because he knows the devastating affect asbestos can have.

He was exposed to particles of the material in his workplace and diagnosed with mesothelioma – a terminal asbestos-related cancer of the lungs – three years ago.

The campaign is targeting tradesmen in Central Scotland, urging them to protect themselves against the UK's biggest industrial killer.

Across Britain, 20 workers die from asbestos-related diseases every week and the HSE says those numbers are on the increase. The latest figures show 79 men in the Falkirk area died from mesothelioma between 1981 and 2005.

Robert became involved in the campaign after hearing about it at a support group he attends at Falkirk Royal Infirmary once a month.

"I was asked if I would like to take part and I said yes,'' he told The Falkirk Herald. ''If it prevents someone else going through what I have gone through, I'm willing to do anything."

Working as an assistant foreman at a chemical plant in Grangemouth for 28 years, Robert did not handle asbestos himself, but he was regularly exposed to the fibres when maintenance and refurbishment work was carried out in the asbestos-clad building he worked in.

"We weren't aware of it being a danger back then," he said. "We weren't told to wear anything to protect us from asbestos, although we did have protective equipment for chemicals.

"I know a couple of guys who worked there who have since passed away with mesothelioma. I don't think the management at the time knew asbestos could kill you."

Robert lives in Forest View, Polmont, with wife of 43 years, Margery, and their 15-year-old West Highland terrier Holly.
Since he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, he has undergone chemotherapy, had his left lung removed and gone through radium treatment to try to alleviate his symptoms.

His last chemotherapy treatment was in February and he now visits the oncology department of Falkirk Royal Infirmary every eight weeks.

"At the moment I'm not feeling too bad,'' he said.

''I actually had a hernia operation three weeks ago even though they were worried I might not survive because of my chest problems.

''On the x-rays they noticed the mesothelioma had not moved, which is a good thing.

"I get breathless a lot so I have to pace myself – I can walk down to
Polmont, but I can't walk back.

''I'm a Falkirk FC season ticket holder and I still watch them, but I can't climb all those steps to the main stand now and have to sit in the temporary stand.

"I have been extremely lucky – I was told I had six months to live three years ago. I just want to thank all the doctors and nurses at all the hospitals who have helped me."

Anyone working on a building built or refurbished before the turn of the century could be exposed to asbestos without even knowing it.

In the UK alone over 500,00 non-domestic buildings contain asbestos.

Workers have a right to be given information about the condition and location of asbestos by the person who manages the building, before they start, and they should ask for this when tendering or quoting for work.

Greg Haywood, head of HSE's asbestos licensing unit, said: "Asbestos is Britain's biggest industrial killer and remains a very real threat

''The risks are not a thing of the past – asbestos-related illnesses claim the lives of 400 people every year – more than die in road accidents.

"The most simple, but important, advice is that, if you are not 100 per cent certain there is no asbestos where you are working, then don't start work. It's not worth the risk."

The HSE's Asbestos campaign is being supported by victims like Robert, who don't want anyone to contract the diseases which have shortened their lives, and by various unions and health charities.