Stonemason diagnosed with lung disease after working on historic castle

Home » News & Knowledge » Silicosis: Stonemason diagnosed with lung disease after working on historic castle

A stonemason diagnosed with severe lung conditions from harmful dust exposure while working on a historic cathedral says he lives in “constant pain.”

Gordon Walters, 60, started working on the maintenance and renovation of Elgin Cathedral in Moray, north-east Scotland, at age 16 in the 1980s. Over five years, he was exposed to large amounts of silica dust from cutting sandstone, with little or no protective measures in place.

Stonemason diagnosed

After experiencing pain in his hands and feet, Walters was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which he believes is linked to silicosis.

His deteriorating health and joint pain forced him to stop working as a stonemason around 1995. He was not diagnosed with silicosis until 2016 and now needs full-time care, relies on a wheelchair, and struggles to breathe.

In 2022, he received £3.5 million in compensation from Historic Scotland, one of the largest settlements for a worker with silicosis and SLE. Walters described living with these conditions as “absolute hell.” This follows an increase in silicosis cases among kitchen countertop workers exposed to engineered stone.

Australia bans use of engineered stone

Australia became the first country to ban engineered stone after a spike in cases among stonemasons cutting quartz slabs without proper safety measures.

The first UK cases linked to engineered stone were reported last year, with experts suggesting the true number might be higher. Walters said, “Silicosis is not a nice illness to have. I know it’s going to kill me one day. My life expectancy will go down, my breathing gets worse.”

He constantly has a dry cough and sometimes struggles to breathe, which he described as frightening. “I’m always in pain. I’ve developed a very high pain tolerance, but I don’t sleep a full night. I maybe sleep a couple of hours, then wake up in pain,” he explained.

Workers renovating the 13th-century Elgin Cathedral during his time there were often covered in dust but were not given masks, despite regulations. Subsequent jobs involved cutting limestone, which has a much lower silica content than sandstone, and had better safety measures in place.

Compensation claim

During his compensation case against Historic Scotland—the successor to the Scottish Development Department of the Scotland Office and the entity liable in this case—a respiratory consultant instructed by his lawyers that his conditions resulted from his dust exposure at Elgin Cathedral.

Walters said his silicosis diagnosis was “a shock” but not surprising after decades of chest infections, adding that his SLE resulted from the silicosis.

Now living in Cardiff, his weight has dropped from 13 stone to eight, and his wife, Lisa, 50, has quit her job to become his full-time carer. Mr. Walters stopped working altogether last year and is unable to walk. “It’s totally changed my life. I don’t do anything. I’m not fit to do anything. I basically watch TV all day,” he said.

His family, including his wife and son, have only known him in his current state and have watched his health decline yearly.

Mr. Walters said:

“Every year, there seems to be a big drop in terms of my breathing, my health. I get weaker and weaker. In February, I had a bout of flu that put me in hospital and since then my breathing has started to dip.”

What is silicosis?

Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over many years.

Silica is a substance naturally found in certain types of stone, rock, sand and clay. Working with these materials can create a very fine dust that can be easily inhaled.

Once inside the lungs, it causes swelling (inflammation) and gradually leads to areas of hardened and scarred lung tissue (fibrosis). Lung tissue that’s scarred in this way doesn’t function properly.

Silicosis symptoms

Symptoms usually take years to develop, and many people will not see the signs until they have stopped working with silica dust.

However, symptoms can worsen even if you are no longer exposed.

According to the NHS, Silicosis usually develops after being exposed to silica for 10-20 years. However, with heavy exposure, it can develop within a matter of a few months. Symptoms include:

A persistent cough
Persistent shortness of breath
Weakness and tiredness

Silicosis causes

Silicosis is caused by inhaling Silica found in certain types of rock, stone, sand and clay. People who work in the following industries are particularly at risk:

Stone masonry and stone cutting – especially with sandstone
Construction and demolition – as a result of exposure to concrete and paving materials
Worktop manufacturing and fitting
Pottery, ceramics and glass manufacturing
Mining and quarrying
Sandblasting

Silicosis treatment

At present, there is no cure for Silicosis because lung damage cannot be reversed. However, there is treatment available to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. There’s no cure for silicosis because the lung damage can’t be reversed. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

For example, you may be offered long-term home oxygen therapy if you’re having difficulty breathing and have low levels of oxygen in your blood.

Bronchodilator medicines may also be prescribed to widen your airways and make breathing easier.

In very severe cases, a lung transplant may be an option, although there are strict health requirements to meet before this will be considered.

Silicosis claims

If you’ve been diagnosed with silicosis, you may be able to claim compensation for the damages. Oakwood Solicitors Ltd agrees to work on your industrial disease claim on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis.

If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be expected to pay us a penny. If you are successful in your claim, we take a percentage of the compensation meaning that the only time we will receive money is if we have brought your claim to a fruitful conclusion.

You will have a dedicated advisor who will see your claim through from start to finish, assisting you in the event of any queries or issues you may have. If it is preferable to you, we are able to assign a female advisor to carry out your claim.

Your case handler will also continue to provide regular updates until the conclusion of your claim, ensuring the process is as stress-free and effortless as possible.

Silicosis: Stonemason diagnosed with lung disease after working on historic castle