HSE Gears Up Asbestos Campaign

HSE is working with key stakeholders (Trades Unions, Trade Associations, Suppliers) to raise awareness amongst tradesmen that they are at risk from exposure to asbestos.

During February and March 2008 a campaign will be rolled out to target building maintenance and repair workers (e.g. electricians, plumbers and carpenters and joiners) using the theme 'You are more at risk than you think!' that features both national and regional activity.

National coverage will involve stakeholder driven activity as well as advertising and articles in the Trade Press. Regional activity will focus on the North West of England where direct mail, radio, press and PR will be used to assess the most effective media channels to reach this target audience.

Trade Press advertising will start on the 4th February and radio on the 18th February and both will continue until the end of March.

Special website pages and campaign packs have been put together by the HSE, including a number of specialist workers posters as shown on the left.

Union safety reps can download this guide: The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
A Guide For Safety Representatives here

Most people still don't understadn the ehalth issues around Asbestos, and in an attempt to educate the general public, the HSE web pages give the following detailed explanation:

Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Great Britain from the 1950’s through to the mid-1980’s. It was used for a variety of different purposes and was ideal for fireproofing and insulation. Any type of building built before 2000 (houses, factories, offices, schools, hospitals etc.) could contain asbestos. Asbestos materials in good condition are safe unless the asbestos fibres become airborne, which happens when the materials are damaged.

Asbestos fibres are present everywhere in the environment in Great Britain so everyone is constantly exposed to very low levels of fibres. However, a key factor in the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease is the total number of fibres breathed in. So there is a possibility that being exposed to asbestos fibres for a short period of time can cause cancer. Working on or near damaged asbestos containing materials or breathing in high levels of asbestos fibres, which may be many hundreds of times that of environmental levels, could increase your chances of getting an asbestos related disease.

When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases which are responsible for around 4000 deaths a year. There are three main diseases caused by asbestos: Mesothelioma (which is always fatal), lung cancer (almost always fatal) and asbestosis (not always fatal but it can be very debilitating).

Remember, these diseases will not affect you immediately but later on in life, so there is a need for you to protect yourself now to prevent you contracting an asbestos related disease in the future. It is also important to remember that people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibres are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer.

Source: GNN / HSE

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