Titanic centenary

摘要

1. The Titanic, the largest passenger luxury liner ever built, sank on its maiden voyage in April 2012 with the loss of 1,514 livesrn2. Shipbuilding in Belfast was booming in the early 1900s when at the peak around 20,000 workers were employed by Harland and Wolffrn3. Work in the shipyards was heavy and hazardous with frequent fatalities and injuries caused by falls, falling objects and crushingrn4. Exposure to noise and vibration led to deafness, tinnitus and vibration white fingerrn5. Respiratory conditions were prevalent due to a range of exposures including dusts, welding fume and solventsrn6. Asbestos use was common in the first half of the 20th century leaving a legacy of lung fibrosis and malignant mesothelioma for shipyard workers and their families.