 Home Health and Safety Health and Safety News
Asbestos is still a killer
26 February 2008
February 27 is Action Mesothelioma Day designed to raise awareness about the cancer risk from asbestos and to campaign for justice for the victims of asbestos. The HSE has launched a campaign to warn workers of the current risks of asbestos exposure.
Action Mesothelioma Day is organised by the British Lung Foundation and asbestos victim support groups to raise awareness about the deadly dust. At present 5,000 people a year are dying of asbestos-related cancers and the number of deaths is expecetd to continue to rise. To find out more about the events being organised for Action Mesothelioma Day click here for the website.
Many people think that asbestos is a problem of the past and that the people who are dying now are dying as a result of previous exposure long ago. It is true that asbestos is now banned in this country. But prior to the ban it was used in millions of buildings and much of it remains in place. It is still possible for people to be exposed to asbestos if it is disturbed. The people most at risk of exposure now are building and demolition workers who might be exposed if they work on a building where asbestos is present. According to the HSE, every week 6 electricians and 3 pumbers die from cancers caused by asbestos exposure. There is a real risk that the younger generation entering the workforce will think this does not apply to them - but it does. If they work on any building built or refurbished before the year 2000 it could contain asbestos.
And work that disturbs asbestos can expose others to extra risk as well when the dust is released into the air.
The HSE campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the current risk among building workers but it carries an important message for all of us. Key to the campaign is the duty to manage asbestos in workplaces. Employers should maintain a record of asbestos-containing materials in their premises and make sure that it is not accidentally damaged when work is being done on the fabric of the building. The campaign also gives advice on where asbestos may be found in the home. To find out more about the HSE campaign go to http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/campaign/index.htm
Contact Details
Health and Safety section
Ph: 0161 249 2441
Fax: 0161 249 2475
Email: healthandsafety@usdaw.org.uk
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