A FAMILY is seeking answers after the asbestos-related death of a former worker.
Maureen Wainwright, from Bradford, died from mesothelioma at the age of 84 on May 27, 2025, a year after being diagnosed with the cancer.
Her family is appealing to former colleagues for information about her asbestos exposure during her time at Field Packaging, a factory where she worked for her entire career.
This included time at the Scott Works site on Hollingwood Lane in Bradford, where she worked up until about 1986.
Maureen’s son John, 61, said the diagnosis came as a shock to the family and that his mother had been active and independent until her late 70s.
He said: "We lost Mum far earlier than we ever expected.
"Up until her late 70s and early 80s, she had been incredibly fit and healthy.
"She was active, loved gardening, enjoyed bowling and was always on the go.
"Then everything changed.
"She became breathless and simple things that most people take for granted became difficult.
"Even her ability to walk around a supermarket was very limited and that was not something she’d had until then.
"It took a while to work out what she had.
"She had been ill and had been going downhill for a long time.
"She started getting lots of liquid on her lungs and the doctors thought it was chest infections.
"When she was diagnosed with mesothelioma it was the worst diagnosis you could ever get."
He admitted the only plausible source of exposure was in the workplace.
He said: "Mum worked at Field Packaging her entire working life.
"There was nothing in her home life or elsewhere that would explain how she came into contact with asbestos.
"My dad worked there.
"That was where they met, and eventually my sister Joanne and I also worked there.
"It’s a massive worry for my sister, who now lives with the fear that she may have contracted it too."
Field Packaging was one of Bradford’s major employers and produced printed packaging for products such as cigarettes, whisky, and perfume.
A 2012 survey before the demolition of the Scott Works building confirmed the presence of asbestos on the site.
It is understood that in the early to mid-1970s, major construction and maintenance work took place at the factory, including the installation of a new boiler facility and associated pipework.
During this project, old asbestos lagging was removed from pipes, and lagging material was carried through production areas.
Mr Wainwright said: "Many families in Bradford had connections to the factory.
"It was a huge employer and there must be people who remember the working conditions there during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
"We know Mum died from an industrial disease; it’s just pinpointing exactly where she was exposed to it and who may have been responsible.
"There were thousands of people employed there over the years, so we’re sure there must be people who remember the work that was being carried out, particularly in the 1970s when maintenance and building work was taking place.
"That’s why witnesses are so important and we’re asking anyone who remembers working there to come forward.
"It is also terrifying to think this lays dormant for decades, so there may be thousands of people walking around Bradford right now like a ticking timebomb, unaware they are also carrying this disease."
Maureen’s family has instructed law firm Slater and Gordon to investigate.
Christopher Briggs, senior associate at Slater and Gordon, said: "Mesothelioma can take decades to develop after exposure to asbestos, making witness evidence particularly important in helping families uncover what happened.
"We are keen to hear from anyone who worked at Field Packaging during the period from the 1950s through to the late 1980s, especially those who may remember building works, boiler installations, pipe removal, maintenance projects or the presence of asbestos-containing materials within the factory, or anyone who worked alongside Maureen during her employment there.
"Even information that may seem minor could prove vital in helping us establish the conditions workers were exposed to."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Christopher Briggs at Slater and Gordon on 0330 995 5368 or email christopher.briggs@slatergordon.uk.
Share