
![]() |
Mark Sennett
Managing Editor |
![]() |
Kelly Rose
Editor |
Home> | Health & Wellbeing | >General Health & Wellbeing | >Asbestos remains number one killer |
ARTICLE
Asbestos remains number one killer
23 January 2013
Tragically asbestos remains the single biggest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, with more than 4000 people continuing to die each year from asbestos-related diseases. And that number, according to Health and Sa
Tragically asbestos remains
the single biggest cause of
work-related deaths in the
UK, with more than 4000
people continuing to die each
year from asbestos-related
diseases. And that number,
according to Health and
Safety Executive (HSE), is
predicted to increase to peak
around 2016.
The British Safety Council (BSC), strongly supports the 'Hidden Killer' campaign recently launched by HSE to underline the severity of the threat that exposure to asbestos poses, particularly to workers in construction and building maintenance sectors.
It is a commonly held view that the danger from asbestos is well known and therefore no longer widespread. This is a dangerous misperception.
Any building constructed or refurbished before 2000 could contain asbestos. As you read this there is the real possibility that the building you are in may contain asbestos. And asbestos is dangerous when disturbed.
Men and women working in construction and other sectors continue to be at risk from coming into contact with asbestos, often without their knowledge.
To Julie Nerney, the BSC's chief executive, the message is clear: "BSC is determined to play its part in drawing employers, property owners and occupiers and workers' attention to the 'Hidden Killer' campaign and create a far broader understanding of the dangers posed by asbestos. It is essential that we help create the environment where contractors, occupiers and workers understand and recognise the dangers and take appropriate precautions to avoid coming into contact with asbestos."
The British Safety Council (BSC), strongly supports the 'Hidden Killer' campaign recently launched by HSE to underline the severity of the threat that exposure to asbestos poses, particularly to workers in construction and building maintenance sectors.
It is a commonly held view that the danger from asbestos is well known and therefore no longer widespread. This is a dangerous misperception.
Any building constructed or refurbished before 2000 could contain asbestos. As you read this there is the real possibility that the building you are in may contain asbestos. And asbestos is dangerous when disturbed.
Men and women working in construction and other sectors continue to be at risk from coming into contact with asbestos, often without their knowledge.
To Julie Nerney, the BSC's chief executive, the message is clear: "BSC is determined to play its part in drawing employers, property owners and occupiers and workers' attention to the 'Hidden Killer' campaign and create a far broader understanding of the dangers posed by asbestos. It is essential that we help create the environment where contractors, occupiers and workers understand and recognise the dangers and take appropriate precautions to avoid coming into contact with asbestos."
MORE FROM THIS COMPANY
- A day in the life of Damian Testa
- Neal Stone appointed acting chief executive of the British Safety Council
- British Safety Council appoints new policy and standards director
- New manifesto puts managing risk at the heart of the future of health and safety
- British Safety Council launches its own IOSH Managing Safely e-learning course
- A day in the life of Louise Ward
- Your questions answered - September 24
- Good leadership key to healthy workforce
- Your questions answered - June 23
- A day in the life of Alistair Donaghey
RELATED ARTICLES
- BSIF: Covid-19 Update
- Dust tight
- SAFEContractor for 5th year
- BSC welcomes proposals to slash legal costs in personal injury claims
- Get some insight
- Chemical exposure course goes more than skin deep
- Getting workers involved in safety
- Dual drug testing
- On-site health screening
- There's nothing funny about slips, trips and falls
OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS SECTION