HSE Launches "Asbestos The Hidden Killer" Web Video, UK

Main Category: Asbestos / Mesothelioma
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma;  Public Health;  Lung Cancer
Article Date: 29 Feb 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Every year 4000 people die of asbestos which is more than those in road traffic accidents. In Great Britain we are in the middle of an epidemic and it is expected that asbestos deaths will to peak to nearly 5000 which is a legacy from years gone by.

As part of the going asbestos awareness raising campaign and to mark National Action Mesothelioma Day, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is launching a web video, "Asbestos the hidden killer" featuring Tom King a carpenter by trade, who has been diagnosed with the terminal lung cancer, mesothelioma. The video can be viewed at http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm.

Recent research conducted by HSE shows that young tradesmen, such as plumbers and electricians, know that asbestos is dangerous but just don't believe that they are personally at risk. This campaign reminds tradesmen that unless they take precautions asbestos could kill them too.

Instead of enjoying his retirement now, Tom said of his condition mesothelioma, "It's taken away 85% of what I do, my life has been cut short. If I had known of the dangers of the asbestos when I was younger I would have taken the right precautions. If I'm very lucky I'll say I've got three years left, but it may just be a year."

Commenting on HSE's ongoing asbestos awareness raising campaign, Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission said, "Every week twenty tradesmen die simply because they have breathed in asbestos fibres during the course of their work. The problem today is that we associate it with a problem that's been and gone because asbestos is now banned. We regard asbestos as something a previous generation were exposed to.

There is a real risk that the younger generation entering the workforce today will think this does not apply to them but it does. If they work on any building built or refurbished before the year 2000 it could well contain asbestos."

Notes

1. Every week six electricians and three plumbers die as a result of exposure to asbestos.

2. Web editors can view both the web video and b-roll at http://www.digitalnewsagency.com/hse to preview, download or embed the content. Web editors wishing to embed or download will need to register first but they can preview beforehand. More details on the campaign can be found here.

3. HSE is working with key stakeholders (Trades Unions, Trade Associations, and 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.

4. Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Great Britain from the 1950s through to the mid-1980s. 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.

5. The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2006 requires dutyholders to properly manage asbestos. Further information on asbestos can be found here.

http://www.hse.gov.uk