The workplace was immortalised by Greater Manchester's most famous painter.
Fittingly titled 'Going to Work', LS Lowry's painting depicts the Mather and Platt engineering plant in Newton Heath, with staff streaming in for a shift.
James Blower went to work there for 25 years off and on, between 1953 - ten years after Lowry painted it - and 1978.
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His family remember his stories about the steel fabrication and welding work he did for the firm, and the other jobs he did for them that made other workers safer - like fitting sprinkler systems in factories.
It means the thought that that work might have been killing him, gradually, is difficult for them to come to terms with.
James, from Oldham, started to suffer breathlessness in early 2019, and died just four days after receiving a diagnosis, at the age of 81.
“After we found out that dad had cancer, I spent as much time as I could with him," his 55-year-old daughter Valerie said.
"When he was in hospital, I visited him every day and sat with him, and when he was in the care home, both Pamela and I took it in turns to be with him.
“He became very subdued as the days passed and slept more. I was at my daughter Leanne’s house when I got the call from the care home that he didn’t have long left and I went there straight away. I had about an hour with him before he died.
“Since then, it’s been a real struggle to accept he’s no longer here.
"To think that his work could be to blame for this terrible illness has been difficult to come to terms with."
James death was caused by mesothelioma.
A terminal cancer of the lining of the lungs, mesothelioma is most commonly associated with asbestos exposure, often decades before.
The family believe he came into contact with asbestos during his time working at the Mather & Platt Limited pump works, and now hope his old workmates can help them find the answers they need.
Mather and Platt entered liquidation in 1998 with parts of the business being sold off.
Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring silicate minerals made up of thin, microscopic fibres.
It is resistant to chemicals and heat meaning it was often used to fireproof products and buildings before the year 2000.
When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air and, when inhaled, can cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma.
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Asbestos kills around 5,000 workers each year and around 20 tradesmen die each week as a result of past exposure, according to the Health and Safety Executive.
With James Blower's family recruiting lawyers to help them, Valerie said: "We would be so grateful to anyone that can help with our investigation."
Katrina London, the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Valerie, said: “James’s death is yet another stark reminder of the legacy left behind by asbestos, and Valerie is understandably still devastated since losing her dad so tragically.
“She has some questions around how James came to be in contact with the asbestos that went on to claim his life, and we’re determined to help her obtain them.
“We are keen to hear from anyone that worked with James and can provide details on the conditions he worked in. Any piece of information could prove vital.”
Anyone with information that may be able to assist with this case is asked to contact Katrina London on 0161 838 7262 or by e-mail at Katrina.london@irwinmitchell.com.
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