HSE’s Team Member’s Experience with Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Dan Williamson, a member of HSE’s Digital Team, has shared a deeply personal account on the HSE Work Right Campaign Blog, detailing his family’s heartbreaking experience with asbestos exposure and the devastating impact of Mesothelioma. His story highlights the critical importance of ongoing asbestos safety initiatives in protecting lives.

Dan’s testimony emphasises the persistent risks posed by asbestos, even decades after its use was banned. Stories like Dan’s serve as a powerful reminder that proper asbestos management remains essential to safeguarding health.

You can read Dan’s full testimony here, where he shares his family’s history with Mesothelioma.

As someone working within HSE and well-versed in health and safety within the construction industry, Dan’s experience is a poignant reminder of the ongoing toll of asbestos-related diseases, which continue to claim an estimated 200,000 lives globally.

The HSE’s Asbestos – Your Duty Campaign is dedicated to raising awareness and improving understanding of the legal duty to manage asbestos in buildings. This responsibility applies to those involved in the maintenance and repair of properties constructed before 2000, where asbestos may still be present.

When disturbed, asbestos fibers can be released into the air and, if inhaled, can lead to severe diseases such as Mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Tragically, these conditions often develop years after exposure, making it all the more important to take proactive measures to manage asbestos safely.

The campaign provides essential information about the legal obligations for managing asbestos, practical steps for assessing and controlling risks, and resources to support those responsible for ensuring compliance. By taking these steps, lives can be saved, and the devastating effects of asbestos-related diseases can be prevented.

To learn more about the campaign, your legal duties, and how to protect health and safety, visit the campaign’s webpage here.

Dan’s story is just one of many, and we are dedicated to eliminating these risks posed by Asbestos exposure. If we can assist in any way, or offer you advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.