Asbestos compensation and working with councils

In order to ensure that workers and members of the public receive the very best possible protection from the asbestos that still remains in the UK's public buildings and workplaces it is essential both councils and businesses remain vigilant. Such a safety-first approach is imperative in both minimising new incidences of asbestos-related diseases and reducing the cost of the total asbestos compensation bill.

One way of ensuring that no-one becomes complacent about the existing asbestos threat is for councils and organisations like the Health and Safety Executive to work together to educate businesses about the risks, particularly those that affect tradespeople. And with around 20 tradespeople dying each week from asbestos-related illnesses such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, putting the focus on issues affecting tradespeople can only be welcomed.

Joanne Williams an inspector with the HSE comments, "HSE always welcomes working with others to raise the awareness of major issues such as asbestos. Asbestos is not yesterday's problem. We must now meet the challenge of managing the risks from asbestos, if we are to prevent another generation of workers suffering an early death at its hand.

"Sadly, we can't turn the clock back for the people who breathed in asbestos fibres in the shipyards, docks and factories of 30 years ago. But what we can and must do is to make every effort to prevent any more exposure to this terrible material."

Norwich is one place where a joint council-HSE approach has proved encouraging. A senior health and safety officer with Norwich City Council reports on their experience of the dual initiative, "Asbestos is a key area of focus for both the government and local authorities because of the very serious health risk it poses.

"What we are seeing now is an increasing trend in tradespeople developing asbestos-related diseases because they don't fully understand the fabric of the building they are working on.

"For example an electrician may drill through what looks like a wooden panel and there may be asbestos behind it, so he or she would disturb the asbestos and risk breathing in fibres. This is why it is so important to have buildings properly surveyed.

"If a building is built pre-2000 then you have to think that asbestos could be present. Over the next fortnight we will be talking to people making sure that they are aware of their obligations under current legislation and most importantly that they are keeping themselves, their staff and visiting tradespeople safe."

It can only be hoped that such drives reduce asbestos-related illness rates and the need for those affected and their families to make asbestos compensation claims.

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