Retail firms reminded of legal obligations for asbestos exposure

Posted 17/05/2010

Retail companies are being reminded of the need to guard employees against the personal injury risks associated with exposure.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has teamed up with independent retail trade body BHF-BSSA Group to produce factsheets which will be sent out to more than 7,000 retailers in order to help them understand their legal responsibilities.

It was recently found that compliance with legal requirements under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 is low in the retail sector, so it is hoped the initiative will reverse the trend.

HSE spokesperson Steve Coldrick pointed out that 4,000 people each year die from past exposure to and said it is therefore “essential” that business owners manage the risks.

BHF-BSSA Group representative Michael Weedon commented: “Retailers walk into the same premises day after day after day, so they really need to know what is lurking in their environment.”

Employees may launch compensation claims against their employers if it can be found that the company was negligent in exposing staff to the deadly building material.

Simon Davis, a Ashtons Legal partner who specialises in -related disease claims, comments: “We deal with many people who were exposed to 30 or 40 years ago and are now suffering from the diseases caused.

“Knowledge was more limited then. We know now what can do much more fully. It is essential that employers know where is and what to do about it else the grim diseases that causes will continue to blight families and cost public services and insurers to all our detriment. We welcome any steps to avoid current and future exposure.”