Asbestos and the dangers of dealing with asbestos

Latest information on asbestos and the dangers of dealing with asbestos

With new government data and guidance emerging on asbestos and asbestos related diseases (such as mesothelioma), refreshing your knowledge on asbestos and the dangers of dealing with this deadly material is vital. In this blog post, we share the latest on the effects of asbestos containing materials on the UK workforce, how you can mitigate risk in the millions of homes and buildings that still contain asbestos, and where you can turn for help.

Asbestos remains a serious threat

While the latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provide positive news on the lower than average numbers of mesothelioma deaths in the UK – fatalities have continued on a downward trend since 2012 – the number of people still affected by past exposure to asbestos is troubling.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that develops over a long period of time after exposure to asbestos fibres. It takes many years to reveal its symptoms, with most cases diagnosed in people aged 75 and over. The latest data reports that 2,257 people died from mesothelioma during 2022.

Awareness is the key to protection

We have more awareness than ever about the dangers of dealing with asbestos, with today’s tradespeople and homeowners more cautious about the disturbance of this harmful material. The HSE’s ‘Asbestos and You’ campaign aims to help tradespeople up and down the country to protect themselves and those around them from asbestos containing materials, especially when working on properties that were constructed or refurbished before 2000.

In addition to offering quick guides to asbestos, the campaign shares essential task sheets that help employers, managers and sole traders arm themselves against asbestos exposure. There are also webinars and podcasts available to help support people as they mitigate the dangers of dealing with asbestos, including those legally responsible.

Pass on the facts to your workforce

Ensuring your workforce is equipped with the knowledge they need to safely negotiate environments that have a potential or confirmed threat of asbestos is crucial.

Our Asbestos Awareness Train the Trainer course aims to do just that, providing delegates with the latest and greatest information to train employees across all industries. This includes but is not limited to workers in the general maintenance, painting and decorating, construction and demolition, heating and ventilation, roofing, and telecommunications sectors.

Find out more about our Asbestos Awareness Train the Trainer course and upcoming course dates today.