Are you ignoring removal guidance?
New research reveals that nearly half of tradespeople view asbestos as a problem of the past.
According to a recent survey, over a quarter of respondents (26%) also stated that they have not followed the correct removal procedures when they have encountered asbestos.
The survey was commissioned by an independent training provider, unrelated to HSE.
Reasons people are putting their lives at risk…
These could include:
- time pressures
- incorrect safety equipment
- cost concerns
- complacency
5,000 people a year die from past exposure to asbestos. It can take 20 to 30 years for symptoms to develop and, although there is no safe exposure to fibres, repeated exposures significantly increase your risk of getting ill. Some asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, are almost always fatal.
No matter what safety equipment you have, if you’re not adequately trained, you shouldn’t be working with asbestos. It is illegal to work on asbestos containing materials without proper training. Find out more about:
Employers have a legal duty to protect workers from harm, that means assessing the risk of disturbing asbestos and controlling the risks. If there isn’t enough information, employers need to arrange a sample survey and analysis to determine the presence, type and condition of asbestos.
Discovering asbestos on a job does mean you need to take extra steps, but the cost of ignoring it is significant both to people’s lives, but also your finances and reputation.
Visit HSE’s media centre for examples of HSE prosecutions for asbestos failings.
Duty to manage guidance is now available in Welsh language.
As we approach St David's Day, which takes place on 1 March, HSE’s Asbestos - Your Duty campaign is calling on your support to share our campaign resources with your networks to keep people safe from asbestos.
This now includes the duty to manage asbestos guidance in Welsh. This includes a PDF to improve understanding of what the legal duty to manage asbestos involves.
It is 25 years since asbestos was banned in the UK, but it is not a problem of the past. Asbestos may still be present in buildings built, or refurbished, before 2000. The Asbestos - Your Duty campaign has a range of free resources available to support those with the legal duty to manage asbestos. You can:
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