The ongoing problem of Asbestos Containing Materials within commercial buildings in the UK has been further highlighted with a diagnosis of Mesothelioma for a former Harrods employee. It was reported that during her time at the department store, between 1991 and 2001, Sandra Shaverien may have been exposed to asbestos dust in the tunnels that run […]
Category Archives: About asbestos
Deaths from historic asbestos exposure reiterate need for Asbestos Awareness training courses
In the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, the dangers of asbestos were unknown or unacknowledged by employers in the UK. The number of deaths from historic exposure to the substance illustrates the dangers faced by workers at the time, albeit unknowingly. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) state that the number of deaths from Mesothelioma, a […]
Asbestos Awareness Training Needed in Schools
A recent article published by the Independent newspaper, states that in 1980 there were just three deaths from mesothelioma among school teachers in the UK. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Current figures show the number of school teachers dying from the disease has risen to 22 per year, […]
A Visual Representation of the Need for Asbestos Awareness Training
Sometimes, art has a way of gently touching on an emotional subject, which isn’t possible with mere words, and this is certainly true of artist Joe Joiner’s new installation in London’s Covent Garden. The death of his own great-grandmother from exposure to asbestos led to his discovery that this is not just an historic problem. […]
HSE Asbestos Debate in Wales a “Game of Political Ping Pong”
The Welsh Government insists that responsibility for dealing with asbestos in Welsh schools lies with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and is waiting for the results of a consultation by the Department of Education before developing a database of schools under threat from the substance. This has caused some concern among members of the […]
The Reality Of Asbestos In UK Schools
It’s a well known fact that asbestos is a killer, however it’s usually those who previously worked in construction roles who are thought to be at the highest risk of contracting diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer or pleural thickening. Each year, thousands of people in the UK lose their lives to an asbestos-related […]
Criticism Levelled at the Scottish Government over the Control of Asbestos
Scotland appears to have experienced a long-term problem when it comes to safe disposal of asbestos, according to a recent news report. The Scottish Express has highlighted the potential problems related to lack of consultation between two health and safety agencies with regard to the safe disposal of asbestos. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) […]
Asbestos Awareness Courses for Head Teachers
Founder of the Asbestos in Schools Campaign Group, Michael Lees, has stated that each year, between 200 and 300 people who attended school during the 1960s and 1970s could potentially die as a result of their historical exposure to asbestos. He was critical of a recently-released report by the Department for Education, which reviewed the […]
Should Local Authorities Promote Asbestos Awareness Training?
It is important for local authorities to understand the likelihood of asbestos being present in the buildings they control, for the sake not only of their employees, but also members of the public. Should local authority bosses undergo asbestos awareness training themselves, or at the very least make sure their workers know and understand the […]
Asbestos Awareness Training Vital for Tradespeople Working in Schools
The BBC has highlighted the need for asbestos awareness training for tradespeople working in schools. Disturbing asbestos fibres and dust will directly endanger the health of anyone coming into contact with it, and worrying figures seen by the BBC suggest that almost nine out of ten schools in the UK contain asbestos somewhere within their […]