Asbestos is the UK's biggest workplace killer
The three main types of asbestos - blue, brown and white asbestos - can still be found in the workplace. There is no safe level of exposure and all types are dangerous.
Around 5,000 people die each year from mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancer - 13 people for every day of the year. These figures are rising and it is predicted that by 2010 some 10,000 people in Britain will die every year from exposure to asbestos, more than twice the number of road accident deaths. Before the death rate declines, up to a quarter of a million people in Britain may have died from asbestos exposures.
There are up to six million tonnes of asbestos in schools, hospitals, ships, offices and factories - and the homes we live in. The importation, supply, and use of all asbestos throughout Britain is prohibited.
The TUC and HSE have jointly produced guidance for safety representatives on managing asbestos and what the law says. It can be found at:-
Read More......New guide to the new asbestos regulations
Free Leaflets - Asbestos
- Asbestos Essentials
- Managing asbestos, your new legal duties [PDF 85kb]
A joint leaflet produced by Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Federation of Small Business, Asbestos Testing and Consulting division of ARCA and HSE - A short guide to managing asbestos in premises [PDF 150kb]
Also available in: Welsh [PDF 565kb] - Asbestos alert for building maintenance, repair and refurbishment workers [PDF 25kb]
- Asbestos Dust Kills: Keep your mask on [PDF 24kb]
- Working with asbestos in buildings [PDF 190kb]
- Fit testing of respiratory protective equipment used for controlling exposure to asbestos fibers [PDF 300kb]
- MS13 - Asbestos: Medical note [PDF 43kb]
- Equipment and method - EM series
Working From Height:-
Working from height remains the most significant risk on building projects
Falls from ladders, working platforms, roofs edges and through fragile roofs
are the most frequent causes of fatal falls.
Related Links:-
Ladders -
Fragile Roofs -
Working platforms -
Minor roofwork/roof edges -
