Although asbestos has now been banned in around 56 countries, some still allow its use for certain products if specific regulations are adhered to. It’s been estimated that 140 countries still have no ban or restrictions in place, however. Holiday destinations including Thailand, Bali, India and Mexico have yet to impose a ban, but perhaps […]
Monthly Archives: December 2016
Asbestos a huge issue for hospital workers and patients
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Trust have paid out £1.3 million in compensation to asbestos victims according to reports in the media, with around 20 claims being made since 2001. Many of our hospitals were constructed in the Victorian era and earlier, and continue to pose a significant danger to the health of medical staff, […]
Anti-asbestos campaigns infiltrated by corporate spy
A report in the Guardian newspaper claims that the global campaign to ban asbestos has been infiltrated by a ‘spy’ working in corporate intelligence. Corporate investigation firm, K2 Intelligence Ltd, are said to have employed someone to infiltrate anti-asbestos groups around the world, with a view to uncovering their plans for obtaining an asbestos ban. […]
Asbestos crisis in Northern Ireland homes
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) is facing crisis as hundreds of homes are found to contain asbestos. Around 5,000 properties in total could potentially be affected, with tenants warned not to access certain areas of their rented properties. The Housing Executive states they are taking steps to remove the toxic substance, but serious health […]
Pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure
Malignant mesothelioma is a form of cancer attributed solely to asbestos exposure. According to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics, around 2,500 people die each year from this aggressive disease, a figure that shows no sign of abating until at least the end of this decade. The high incidence of occupational exposure to asbestos, from […]
Personal and Respiratory Protective Equipment: What you need to use
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, 2012, employers are required by law to protect their workers’ health and safety. This includes the provision of awareness training for any worker likely to encounter asbestos, as well as providing appropriate personal and respiratory protective equipment. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can prosecute employers who fail in […]
High insurance cost of asbestos claims
The cost to insurers of asbestos compensation claims has been forecast at $100 billion. It is said the asbestos industry as a whole has already paid out around $64 billion for exposing workers to the toxic substance. This rising cost of compensation for asbestos exposure can be attributed to various factors, including our increased life […]
Relief for asbestos victims as government reverses plans to delete employment records
The government has decided to cancel plans to destroy employment records at Companies House six years after the closure of a company. The existing situation whereby records are retained for 20 years will now continue – a triumph for those who campaigned against the proposals. Asbestos illness generally manifests several decades following the original exposure, […]