Asbestos ‘remains a significant workplace hazard’

Posted 11/11/2009

Companies and workers have been reminded of the continuing health risk posed by in modern workplaces.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has called on tradesmen and businesses to ensure they remain vigilant about the toxic substance to avoid exposing labourers to the risk of industrial disease.

HSE advised that many older premises which incorporate lagging are still in use across the UK, meaning the risk of mesothelioma and related illnesses remains for those performing work on such buildings.

Steve Coldrick, HSE’s programme director, added that such diseases claim the lives of around 4,000 workers annually.

He said: “It isn’t just a risk of a bygone age and tradesmen cannot afford to be complacent.”

This comes as the government is currently debating the implementation of new laws which would see sufferers of -related pleural plaques given the right to make compensation claims from their employers.