Asbestos Awareness
As widely experienced and qualified construction specialist health and safety consultants, Wenlock Health & Safety Ltd is well-placed to give competent, reliable and practical advice, guidance and training to both contractors and premises owners/occupiers on how to ‘manage’ and hence reduce the risk posed by asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in their premises, particularly when any type of disturbance is necessary.
We offer:
- Asbestos Awareness training
- Asbestos Registers
- Contractor Control Systems
- Advice and guidance
Research has now established that the risk posed to tradesmen of all types (including plumbers, carpenters, electricians, as well as builders and decorators) is far higher than originally thought. It is predicted that approximately 1 in 170 British men born in the 1940s will die of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions, currently over 4000 people per year and rising (and that’s only the victims we know about!).
6 electricians every week
6 joiners every week
3 plumbers every week
20 tradesmen every week
To put this into context, that’s the equivalent of the entire Premier League every year. Makes you think doesn’t it…? And nobody will know they are a victim until it’s too late.
Hence, the HSE are continuing to actively target refurbishments and contractors who may come into contact with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) – in reality, all contractors will run this risk.
Can you see the asbestos? … Nobody can.
The law dictates that:
- All commercial premises in the UK must have an Asbestos Management System in place in readiness for any disturbance (note – even minor surface disturbance can pose a risk if not properly managed)
- All contractors or others who run the risk of encountering or disturbing ACMs must have received suitable “Asbestos Awareness” training.
- No construction, repair, maintenance or other such disturbance can be considered until certain preparatory works have been undertaken in order to protect all concerned
Because of the extent and urgency of the issue, the HSE have mounted a campaign – The Hidden Killer
Wenlock Health & Safety Ltd have signed up to the campaign. Help us help you – and help your workforce; contact us to find out more.
An interesting fact…
Steve McQueen died at the age of 50 following an operation to remove or reduce several metastatic tumors in his abdomen in 1980.
He had been diagnosed with mesothelioma (a type of cancer associated with asbestos exposure), in December 1979.
While McQueen felt that asbestos used in movie soundstage insulation and race-drivers’ protective suits and helmets could have been involved, he believed his illness was a direct result of massive exposure while removing asbestos lagging from pipes aboard a troop ship during his time in the Marines.
