Asbestos - warning on hidden killer

Exposed asbestos in the Spodden Valley

A £1.2 million campaign is aiming to protect tradesmen from across Greater Manchester from the UK’s biggest industrial killer.

Figures show there were 917 male deaths from the asbestos-related disease mesothelioma in Greater Manchester between 1981 and 2005.

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE’s) national Hidden Killer campaign is warning workers of the dangers of asbestos and how best to protect themselves.

Across Britain, around 20 tradesmen die from asbestos diseases every week and the numbers are increasing.

Workers most at risk are those most likely to disturb or damage asbestos, such as plumbers, joiners and electricians.

Anyone working on a building that was built or refurbished before the year 2000 could be exposed to asbestos without even knowing it. In the UK, around 500,000 non-domestic buildings contain asbestos.

Mike Cross, HSE’s North-West head of construction, said: “Asbestos is Britain’s biggest industrial killer and remains a very real threat to Greater Manchester workers.

“Contrary to what many people believe, the risks are not a thing of the past. Asbestos-related illnesses claim the lives of 4,000 people every year — more than die in road accidents.

“The most simple, but important advice is, if you are not 100 per cent certain that there is no asbestos where you are working, then don’t start work. It is not worth the risk.

“Think of it as not just protecting yourself, but also protecting your family and loved ones from unnecessary heartache.”

Save Spodden Valley campaigners have welcomed the new campaign.

SSV Co-ordinator Jason Addy said: “Even though all asbestos has now been outlawed there remains a legacy of the deadly mineral. Those dying of asbestos related cancers such as mesotheioma today were exposed decades ago. The HSE campaign is targeting those workers who can still be at risk from asbestos from older buildings that still contain asbestos. Maintenance workers and trades people such as electricians and plumbers can still be at risk. That is an important message - asbestos is not yesterday's problem.

“The HSE campaign has relevance to the Spodden Valley for several reasons. We are grateful to the HSE for their care to consult with local and national asbestos victims groups and to speak with those family members who know first-hand the damage asbestos can do. We know that only too well in Rochdale.

“There is no known safe level for exposure to asbestos. For over five years the SSV campaign has been fighting to highlight the potential exposure to low level yet significant amounts of asbestos dust. The dangers are real. We have seen professions not traditionally associated with asbestos exposure whose workers have died of asbestos related cancer.

“We congratulate the ongoing work of Paul Rowen and MPs of all parties to raise awareness of the ongoing dangers and injustices caused by asbestos. The questions to the Prime Minister and the work of the All Party Asbestos Sub committee is important to keep future generations safe”.

Asbestos materials only present a risk if fibres are released into the air where they can be breathed in.

The campaign is backed by unions, employers’ representatives, health charities, sufferers and victims’ groups. For more information, visit:

•   www.hse.gov.uk/hiddenkiller