Asbestos & You – The HSE’S Campaign

Similar to the Duty to Manage Asbestos Campaign, which you can read more on here, the HSE’S Asbestos & You Campaign is dedicated to highlighting the risk that asbestos poses to tradespeople.

Every tradesperson is likely to undertake works in a building or on a site that contains asbestos at some point in their career. The risk is even greater when conducting repairs or refurbishment works that are likely to disturb any asbestos present.

This campaign in particular targets younger people in trades, who started their career after the asbestos ban in 2000, such as plumbers and electricians, plasterers and joinery, with the aim of informing them of the harsh reality of the risks associated with asbestos exposure.

The HSE’s regulator’s concern arises due to the length of time symptoms of asbestos related disease can take to develop after asbestos exposure, that could lead to a perception amongst younger workers that it is something that only is of concern and impacts older people who were working prior to the ban on the use of asbestos.

Each year, 5000 people die from asbestos related illnesses, and asbestos is still present in buildings built of refurbished prior to the year 2000.
Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) were used widely in the construction and maintenance of buildings in Great Britain from the 1950s, until the ban in 2000, which means that even 24 years later, fibre release and asbestos exposure pose a risk if disturbed.
Chief Executive of the HSE Sarah Albon commented: “Everyone working in construction today, of any age, must take the risk from asbestos seriously.”

Guidance:
As part of this campaign, the HSE have created a quiz to assist you and allow you to test your own knowledge on their Campaign web page.

We’re here to help!
Casa has a wealth of experience in all industries, from domestic, to commercial, industrial and more, equipping us to be able to consult you on all types of asbestos projects. Get in touch here for more information or a quotation.
Casa also offers Asbestos Awareness Training, that can be tailored to your organisation, ensuring that the next generation of tradespeople is equipped with the knowledge of how to handle asbestos safely as possible, and in compliance with asbestos legislation.