Asbestos - the hidden killer

Health and Safety Executive (North West)
(HSE) Health and Safety Executive asbestos campaign aims to prevent history repeating itself in Lancashire

Asbestos - the hidden killer, campaign aimed at young tradesmen

The number of asbestos related deaths in the North West is a reflection of the region's industrial heritage, with four local authorities included in the top 20 for male and female deaths from the deadly disease.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is trying to prevent history repeating itself in Lancashire through its latest campaign, 'Asbestos the hidden killer!'.

Steve Coldrick, Head of HSE's Disease Reduction Programme said:

"People regard asbestos as something only previous generations were exposed to but it is still a present danger. Anyone working in a building built or refurbished before the year 2000 should be aware that it could contain asbestos and take the necessary precautions to work safely."

"The 'Asbestos the hidden killer!' campaign is specifically aimed at young tradesman such as plumbers, electricians and joiners after research highlighted that while they recognised the dangers of asbestos, they didn't believe they were personally at risk."

Every week 20 tradesmen die simply because they have breathed in asbestos fibres during the course of their work.

Between 1985 and 2004, there were 3,097 asbestos related deaths due to past exposure in the North West. In Lancashire there were 598 deaths.

By proportion to population, the statistics show that Barrow in Furness (158) had the highest number of male deaths in the country. Crewe and Nantwich (103) was in 16th place. Blackburn with Darwen had the fifth highest number of female deaths (28) and South Ribble had the 14 highest numbers of female deaths (14).

Tradesmen are encouraged to find out more about protecting themselves against the dangers of working with asbestos by ordering the free information pack from the HSE Infoline 0845 345 0055 or via the HSE website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/campaign/index.htm

A full breakdown by local authority area is included in the notes to editors.

Notes to editors:

1. HSE is working with key stakeholders (Trades Unions, Trade Associations, and Suppliers) to raise awareness amongst tradesmen that they are at risk from exposure to asbestos. During February and March 2008 a campaign will be rolled out to target building maintenance and repair workers (e.g. electricians, plumbers and carpenters and joiners) using the theme 'You are more at risk than you think!' that features both national and regional activity.

2. Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Great Britain from the 1950s through to the mid-1980s. It was used for a variety of different purposes and was ideal for fireproofing and insulation. Any type of building built before 2000 (houses, factories, offices, schools, hospitals etc.) could contain asbestos. Asbestos materials in good condition are safe unless the asbestos fibres become airborne, which happens when the materials are damaged.

3. The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006 requires dutyholders to properly manage asbestos. Further information from the HSE web site.

4. A breakdown of regional statistics is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/pdf/mesomortality6804.pdf

The number of deaths from mesothelioma in the North West
between 1985 - 2004

Council Male Female Total
Total for North West 2,668 429 3.097
Lancashire 468 130 598
Blackburn with Darwen 32 28 60
Blackpool 61 11 72
Wyre 62 11 73
Lancaster 52 7 59
Preston 42 11 53
Ribble Valley 22 4 26
Chorley 31 12 43
Pendle 28 6 34
Rossendale 21 6 27
Fylde 27 5 32
West Lancashire 29 7 36
Hyndburn 22 4 26
South Ribble 25 14 39
Burnley 14 4 18
Cheshire 439 48 487
Halton 65 5 70
Warrington 48 5 53
Crewe and Natnwich 103 6 109
Ellesmere port and Neston 50 4 54
Vale Royal 66 11 77
Congleton 32 4 36
Macclesfield 45 9 54
Chester 30 4 34
Cumbria 309 29 338
Barrow in Furness 158 11 169
Copeland 34 1 35
Carlisle 40 7 47
South Lakeland 44 4 48
Allerdale 25 5 30
Eden 8 1 9
Greater Manchester 791 137 928
Tamneside 98 12 110
Bolton 103 13 116
Salford 83 17 100
Wigan 99 23 122
Trafford 71 12 83
Bury 56 7 63
Manchester 105 16 121
Rochdale 57 16 73
Stockport 74 11 85
Oldham 47 10 57
Merseyside 661 85 746
Wirral 223 15 238
Knowsley 82 13 95
Sefton 136 11 147
Liverpool 176 38 214
St Helens 44 8 52


Public enquiries: HSE's InfoLine: 0845 3450055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG

HSE information and news releases can be accessed
on the Internet http://www.hse.gov.uk

Issued on behalf of HSE by Government News Network North West.