The owner of a nightclub in Bolton has been prosecuted for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act during refurbishment of his three-storey building in the summer of 2015. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) took action against both the company as an entity, and the owner individually, for three asbestos-related issues: These were […]
Monthly Archives: September 2016
Asbestos friability: What does it mean?
“Easily crumbled or reduced to powder” From the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) definition of friability, it’s easy to see why the condition of asbestos-containing materials is one of the most important issues when assessing their risk. The most dangerous are characterised by high friability levels. These include sprayed asbestos coatings and loose-fill insulation, but […]
Asbestos removal may force MPs to leave the Houses of Parliament
The news that MPs may need to move out of the Houses of Parliament whilst asbestos is removed and the buildings are refurbished, should come as no surprise considering the levels used in the construction of iconic landmarks such as these. Plans to remove a significant amount of asbestos from Buckingham Palace will also mean […]
Additional training to help doctors diagnose asbestos-related diseases
It can be particularly challenging for the medical profession when it comes to diagnosing asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma. Unfortunately, due to the characteristic long latency period, many patients only visit their GP once the illness is at an advanced stage. This can result in a referral that’s too late to significantly alter the course […]
School forced to remain closed after asbestos leak
A primary school in Ipswich has remained closed this week after asbestos was disturbed by builders. Head teacher, Jenny Barr, decided to postpone the start of term under health and safety grounds but hopes to reopen in a week, once the situation has been brought under control. Her decision appears to have received mixed reviews […]
Homeowner exposed to asbestos for 10 days
It is said that asbestos poses no problem in a building unless it is disturbed or starts to disintegrate. Its presence in any domestic home remains a serious issue, however, and was recently highlighted by the plight of a family in Hemel Hempstead. The young couple who have a four-month old baby have been forced […]
Asbestos and the dangers faced by firefighters
Asbestos is just one of the many hazards facing firefighters on a daily basis, but exposure to the substance doesn’t have an immediate or visible effect. Its insidious nature means that a victim’s health is compromised decades later, as the dust and fibres inhaled set up life-threatening respiratory problems. Although the likelihood of asbestos exposure […]