Asbestos dangers SIR – The New Year is a time for considering our wellbeing. The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) would like to draw people’s attention to the continuing risks posed by asbestos.
Your readers might be forgiven for asking why – after all, asbestos is an historical problem.
Sadly this misconception continues to contribute to deaths of those who unknowingly work with the substance or whose poor training in its safe removal poses real risks to public health.
More than 4,500 people still die every year as a result of breathing in asbestos fibres, and asbestos remains the biggest single cause of work-related deaths in the UK.
The UKATA message is to have a safe New Year. For contractors, this means using common sense and ensuring you have the right training. For the public, vigilance is key.
If asbestos is present, ensure you choose a contractor who has been trained by a UKATA member and thus trained to remove asbestos safely. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the Health and Safety Executive.
Terry Barker, UKATA Chief Executive Officer
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