Family's desperate plea to find dad's work colleagues
Brian Tipper worked as an electrician in South Wales among other places died just two months after being diagnosed with cancer
Brian Tipper worked for several companies in the south Wales area
(Image: Hugh James)
The family of a man who tragically died just two months after being diagnosed with cancer are now looking for any of the people that might have worked with him between the years 1963 and 1978 during his time in Newport and Pontypool .
It was a devastating shock to his family, when Brian Tipper died in July 2023, aged 76. Just two months after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma- a form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos.
The story is much too common, as a father recounted in January 2025 about how years of work as a builder could have led to his incurable cancer diagnosis.
Another grandfather recounted in 2019 how 40 years of exposure to asbestos while working in Welsh hospitals led to him being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
Brian's family has now enlisted specialist asbestos solicitors at Hugh James to pursue a civil compensation claim. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
The electrician lived in Ross-On-Wye where he worked in his trade.
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Brian's family think that he could have been exposed to asbestos during his work in Wales and other places while he was employed by different companies.
He had been employed by companies like South Wales Electricity Board, while he was based in Newport and Pontypool.
Additionally, he also worked with British Rail in the 1960s while he was based in Newport on projects like the Severn Tunnel Junction.
Electricians working between the 1960s and 1980s were frequently exposed to asbestos, which was commonly used in a range of electrical products and building materials, including wiring, insulation, switchboards, and even their work clothes.
Despite its fire-resistant and insulating qualities, asbestos posed a significant risk to electricians like Brian, who would regularly come into contact with it during routine tasks such as installing or repairing wiring, fuses, and working on electrical panels.
The team at Hugo James say that during his work as an electrician, Brian could have been exposed to asbestos at the following companies:
South Wales Electricity Board (1963 – 1968 and 1971 to 1974)
British Railways (1967 – 1969)
Ashton Paper Mill Ltd (1968/69)
Gwent Electrical Co Ltd (1969/70)
David Grimme (Electrical) Ltd (1969/70 and 1971/72)
Duramin Engineering Co. Ltd (1970/71)
I.S.C (NSC) Avonmouth (1970 – 1972) and
Davies Electrical Services Ltd (1973 – 1978)
Hugh James' legal team has now appealed for witnesses who worked at the abovementioned companies during that time period, especially those who worked with Brian, to come forward.
Ceri Clark, asbestos claims solicitor and senior associate at Hugh James, said: "We are hoping to help Brian's family seek answers.
"If you worked with Brian Tipper at any point during his lifetime and/or have any information relating to how Brian could have been exposed to asbestos whilst working for these companies, please come forward as soon as possible.
"Anyone with information about working conditions, asbestos exposure, or who may remember working with Brian Tipper is urged to get in touch.
"Their recollections could play a crucial role in the ongoing case to establish the circumstances of asbestos exposure and hold accountable those responsible."
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