Industrial workers have been plagued by many work-related illnesses and injuries for centuries. Asbestos is the root of many present-day respiratory diseases caused by its the widespread use in the 20th century. British industrial workers are most at risk for contracting these conditions, often decades after exposure to asbestos fibres. Most notable of these conditions […]
Nearly everyone has heard something about the dangers of asbestos, but we at Bainbridge e-Learning often hear a variety of misinformation surrounding this very hazardous material. We’ve compiled a list of 12 most common asbestos rumours in order to set the record straight, once and for all. Myth #1: Asbestos is safe in small doses […]
Asbestos in schools has been the topic of longstanding debate between campaigners who want it removed completely, and others including government ministers, who insist it is safe to be left if intact. Unfortunately for tradespeople and school maintenance workers, it is unlikely that schools built prior to the asbestos ban of 1999 will be free […]
The Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team (DAST) displayed the names of more than 100 local victims of asbestos exposure on the west wall of Lincoln Cathedral last week. Intended to commemorate those who had died from mesothelioma, the event also raised public awareness of the dangers of this carcinogenic substance. The support group, originally set up […]
If you’re a lover of DIY you may not be aware, but there’s a potential risk to your health and safety if you work on a property that was built before 2000. The prolific use of asbestos in the construction industry means that deadly fibres and dust could be released if an asbestos-containing material (ACM) […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]