Asbestos ignorance risks more asbestos deaths according to new IOSH survey
Last Updated on September 17, 2019 by
IOSH survey reveals asbestos ignorance causing deaths in construction
According to a recent survey conducted by IOSH, asbestos ignorance is going to lead to more deaths.
Figures from the survey show that 1 in 4 construction workers believe they may have been exposed to asbestos fibers whilst at work.
This means they will be at greater risk of developing terminal cancers such as mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases in years to come.
The UK have the highest asbestos related death rate in the world.
As such, these figures are worrying with so may workers being at risk.
IOSH (The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) have launched a campaign to raise awareness of and tackle the problem of asbestos exposure at work.
Their survey findings are being released to coincide with the campaign ‘No time to lose’.
A third of people who completed the survey said they’d never checked the asbestos register before starting a job.
Half of these people didn’t even know there was an asbestos register in the 1st place!
One in five wouldn’t know what to do if they discovered any asbestos in the building.
These finding have understandably caused some concern amongst health professionals and health and safety experts.
New Chair of the UK’s Industrial Injuries Advisory Council and a leading expert on workplace carcinogens, Dr Lesley Rushton, said, “What these new survey results confirm is that, while people have heard of asbestos and know what the effects of being exposed to it are, they’re not sure how to check if it’s present and they may not know what to do if they find asbestos.”
“Uncertainty and ignorance surrounding how to prevent workers from breathing in the fibers is deeply worrying.”
“This is particularly the case among small companies, sole traders and older workers. It is crucial that we reach them, to inform them of the risks and how these can be managed, to ensure their future health is not compromised.”
Some key asbestos facts
Asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999. Lots of buildings built before that time will contain asbestos. It can be found in things such as roofing, lagging, spray coatings, ropes, insulating boards, cloth and yarns. Asbestos is banned in a total of 62 countries across the world.
Asbestos deaths amount to over 107,000 a year across the world. But at least 125 million workers are still being exposed to asbestos every year.
Asbestos fibers are so small that we are unable to see them with the human eye. Although they are so small, they cause a lot of damage when inhaled and stick to the lining of the lungs. This in time causes serious illnesses to develop such as mesothelioma.
The Health and Safety Executive say that at least 5,000 people die annually in the UK as a result of an asbestos related disease.
Asbestos ignorance is causing deaths of construction workers
IOSH surveyed 500 construction workers and discovered the following info:-
15 per cent have never been informed of asbestos risks while 59 per cent have and have had this reinforced with regular training
27 per cent say they haven’t been exposed to asbestos while 23 per cent say that they have.
15 per cent say they have checked the asbestos register while 32 per cent say they never have before commencing work on a new site.
18 per cent said if they found asbestos they would either be clueless on what to do or be unsure.
Not enough being done to protect workers
IOSH President, Craig Foyle, said the survey demonstrates not enough is being done to protect our workers.
Craig said, “Asbestos is banned in the UK and other countries for a good reason: it is dangerous. It is staggering to see how many people die from exposure to asbestos every year. That is well over 100,000 families suffering the devastation of a lost loved one.”
“It is unacceptable, therefore, for anyone in any workplace to be exposed to asbestos. Clearly, though, people are being exposed to it. In the decades to come, it is likely that these people and their families will still be suffering unless we all do something about it.”
“We are calling on everyone, including employers, to do the right thing; to protect the people who work for them. IOSH has an array of resources designed to assist employers put measures in place which protect their workforce.”
If you would like more information about the ‘No time to lose’ campaign by IOSH, please visit www.notimetolose.org.uk
Whether you need an asbestos management survey, or a refurbishment/ demolition survey, contact us on 0161 763 3727 or by visiting https://www.armco.org.uk/
Finally, for all your asbestos training needs call 0161 761 4424 or visit https://www.armcoasbestostraining.co.uk/to book an asbestos awareness training course.
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