HSE launch asbestos awareness campaign

In November 2009, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the national regulator for workplace health and safety, launched “Asbestos: The Hidden Killer”, a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos advises Michael osborne, senior solicitor with Moore Blatch Resolve LLP.  

The campaign targets tradesmen, such as joiners, electricians, painters, decorators and plumbers.   About 20 men and women who have worked in these jobs die from asbestos-related diseases each week.

The HSE campaign aims to show that asbestos is not just a historical problem and to educate today’s workers about the risks involved with it and about the action that they need to take to protect themselves from asbestos dust.  The intention is to prevent deaths from asbestos in the future, and to stop asbestos claiming another generation of tradesmen.

Asbestos is a real risk for tradesmen working today.  It may be present in any building which was built or refurbished before 2000 and it is estimated that there are about 500,000 workplace premises which could contain asbestos. 

The HSE has produced an information pack which shows where in buildings there may be asbestos-containing materials, what they look like, how they should be dealt with and where to find training.   Tradesmen can get a pack by calling 0845 345 0055 or by visiting www.hse.gov.uk/hiddenkiller.