HSE launches ‘Asbestos: The Hidden Killer’ campaign
Figures issued by the Health and Safety Executive revealed that
every week 20 tradesmen die from asbestos-related diseases, and this
number is set to increase.
Former tradesman and England and Arsenal footballing legend, Ian
Wright, has given his support to help highlight the importance of
the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Asbestos:The Hidden Killer
campaign which is running throughout October and November and aims
to reduce the rising death rate by educating today’s tradesmen about
the danger that asbestos presents to them.
Ian Wright was shocked when he learnt that 20 tradesmen a week were
dying from having been exposed to asbestos in their working lives.
“I used to be a plasterer before becoming a professional footballer,
and was really surprised to learn that the number of deaths is
actually on the increase year on year. If that was footballers
dying, the whole of the premiership would be wiped out in just three
months.”
Steve Coldrick, Director of the HSE’s Disease Reduction Programme
says, “We need to educate tradesmen about how asbestos and its
dangers are relevant to them. We want them to change the way they
work so that they don’t put their lives at risk.”
“I can really relate to the situations tradesmen find themselves in
and urge them to take care,” added campaign ambassador, Ian Wright.
Steve Coldrick explained why a major campaign has been launched to
raise awareness of the real risk that tradesmen face, “Exposure to
asbestos is the biggest single cause of work-related deaths, with
around 4,000 people a year dying from asbestos-related disease. The
overall number of deaths is rising because a large number of workers
who have already been exposed to asbestos dust around 40 years ago
will go on to develop mesothelioma, a terminal cancer or other
asbestos related diseases.”
1,000 (25%) of the 4,000 now dying each year are tradesmen and while
the number of deaths in traditional industries has plateaued, deaths
in trades continue to rise.
"The HSE campaign is vital because research shows that only one in
ten tradesmen know that exposure to asbestos can prove fatal" says
Jill Morrell, Head of Public Affairs at the British Lung Foundation.
"The asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma is a cruel disease which
as yet has no cure. We must do all we can to prevent more people
dying from this preventable disease"
Many workers, particularly tradesmen, think that they are not
personally at risk of exposure to asbestos and the diseases it can
cause. They think that since asbestos was banned many years ago, the
problem has been dealt with and therefore it is not relevant to
them. The reality is very different.
Even today asbestos presents a real and relevant risk to plumbers,
joiners, electricians and many other maintenance workers. Asbestos
may be present in any building constructed or refurbished before the
year 2000, and it is estimated that around 500,000 non-domestic
buildings could contain asbestos. These buildings all need repair
and maintenance work from time to time and when the asbestos fibres
are disturbed e.g. by drilling or cutting, they are likely to be
inhaled as a deadly dust.
If asbestos-containing material is in good condition and in a
position where it cannot be disturbed or damaged, it is safer to
leave it where it is and ensure that the risks are managed. Those
responsible for managing building maintenance and repair of
non-domestic buildings, have a duty to inform tradesmen if asbestos
is present in a building they are working in. Depending on the type
of asbestos-containing material, and providing they have been
trained and the proper controls are in place, they may be able to
work on the project. Asbestos sprayed coatings, board or lagging on
pipes and boilers – should only be tackled by licensed workers.
Posters and radio adverts will encourage tradesmen to get a free
asbestos information pack by calling 0845 345 0055 or by visiting
www.hse.gov.uk/hiddenkiller for further information. The free
information pack provides information on the dangers of asbestos,
highlighting where asbestos-containing materials may be present in
buildings, what they look like, how they should be dealt with and
where to find training.
Key Facts and Stats
· 4,000 deaths last year
· 1,000 of those were tradesmen (20 workmen a week)
· The numbers of deaths of plumbers, heating & ventilation engineers
& electricians continue to rise
o Every week 6 electricians die from this hidden killer
o Every week 3 plumbers die from this hidden killer
o Every week 6 joiners die from this hidden killer
· Plateau in deaths from workers in ‘traditional’ industries such as
shipbuilding, asbestos product manufacturing, metal plate workers
etc
· The use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 2000
· Any building built or refurbished before 2000 could contain
asbestos
· It is estimated that around 500,000 non-domestic buildings contain
asbestos
· If 20 premiership footballers died every week then the premiership
would be wiped out in 3 months!
· If 20 MPs died every week, Parliament would be empty in just 8
months
· If 20 Formula 1 drivers died every week, there would be no one
left to drive after 1 week
Email:
ken.hooper@mslpr.co.uk
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