Asbestos exposure linked to scaffolder's death

A Plymouth scaffolder who was exposed to asbestos dust whilst working at a Royal Navy dockyard died from a rare and aggressive cancer, an inquest has heard.

Denis Tapp erected and took down scaffolding on warships, including HMS Ark Royal and HMS Eagle, and the blacksmith shop at Devonport dockyard between 1978 and 1984.

The 72-year-old died in March 2025 from pleural mesothelioma, which affects the thin lining that covers the lungs and lines the inner chest wall.

An inquest at Plymouth Coroner's Court heard the dockyard was "a very dusty place to work" and asbestos dust had come from lagging when it had been removed from boiler pipes on ships and on land-based sites.

The inquest heard Tapp had instructed solicitors to make a civil claim for compensation but he had died before he signed the legal statement.

The coroner recorded Tapp's death had been caused by industrial diseases.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with Mr Tapp's family and loved ones at this difficult time.

"We take health and safety extremely seriously and have robust procedures around managing asbestos that comply with health and safety regulations."

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