Asbestos dangers on timetable for trainee tradesmen in Aberdeen

Date:

06 November 2009

Release No:

SCO/203/09

The dangers of asbestos were on the timetable for trainee tradesmen at Aberdeen College this week with a special session led by an expert from the Health and Safety Executive.

The visit to Aberdeen was one date in a college tour across Britain as part of HSE's 'Asbestos: The hidden killer' campaign which launched earlier this month.

Students received a talk about the dangers of Asbestos at Aberdeen College. Pictured; (L-R) Chris Anderson, Ewan Pennie and Mark Lawton, HSE.

Around 20 tradesmen each week die from asbestos-related diseases and the session aimed to give the next generation advice on where they are most likely to find it and how to protect themselves from breathing in the deadly fibres.

Apprentices also received a video warning from campaign-supporter Christopher Morgan, a former pipe fitter who has undergone intensive treatment for mesothelioma − an incurable lung cancer caused by working with asbestos.

Any building built or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos, including an estimated 500,000 non-domestic buildings. It is tradesmen who are most at risk of exposure by disturbing or damaging it through cutting or drilling.

Mark Lawton, HSE's asbestos expert said:

"Asbestos-related diseases claim around 4000 lives every year. Roughly a quarter of these deaths are people in the building trades.

"Those dying today were exposed to asbestos 20, 30 or 40 years ago, but it isn't just a risk of a bygone age. The tradesmen of today and tomorrow cannot afford to be complacent because asbestos is still present in hundreds of thousands of buildings. They risk breathing in deadly dust by disturbing or damaging asbestos in the course of their work.

"The college tour and the wider campaign are about arming today's workforce with the information they need to protect themselves from this hidden killer."

From 1981-2005 a total of 162 men died from mesothelioma across Aberdeen City and Shire, and across Scotland 2617 men died during the same period.

Students received a talk about the dangers of Asbestos at Aberdeen College. Pictured; (L-R) Chris Anderson, Ewan Pennie and Mark Lawton, HSE.

Colin Beattie, Health and Safety Manager at Aberdeen College added:

"It is very important that our students, the next generation of tradesmen, are aware of the dangers of asbestos which is still found in many commercial buildings.

"The talk delivered by Mark Lawton from the HSE highlighted the alarming statistic that around twenty tradesmen die every week from an asbestos related disease. Raising awareness of the effects of asbestos is vital and the lecture was an excellent way of informing our students."

The messages of the campaign were hard hitting, according to students at Aberdeen College:

"Watching the video of Chris was quite shocking, it made me realise what could happen if you are exposed to asbestos." (Sean Conway, 17, Trainee plumber)

"The talk was very informative; I knew what asbestos was but not what it actually looked like. It was good to know the types of places that you might come across it." (Sean Proud, 18, Trainee plumber)

"It really hit home seeing the video and watching someone suffering like that." (Chris Anderson, 27, Trainee joiner)

"It made you more aware of the dangers when you're working. Employers should get the chance to see it too." (John Slater, 19, Trainee plumber)

"It was good to find out more about the dangers of asbestos and the talk was really interesting." (Ewen Pennie, 19, Trainee joiner)

The campaign is being supported by unions, employers representatives, health charities, sufferers and victims groups.

Radio adverts are currently encouraging tradesmen to get a free asbestos information pack by visiting www.hse.gov.uk/hiddenkiller. The information highlights where asbestos-containing materials may be present, what they look like, how they should be dealt with and where to find training.

Notes to editors

1. HSE is Britain's national regulator for workplace safety and health. It aims to reduce injuries and illness in the workplace.
2. Although the rising levels of mesothelioma deaths reflect the increased use of asbestos in construction in the 1960s, much of this material is still in place in modern workplaces and still has the potential to kill.
3. If asbestos-containing material is in good condition and in a position where it is unlikely to be disturbed or damaged, it is safer to leave it where it is and ensure that the risks are managed. Those responsible for managing building maintenance and repair of non-domestic buildings, have a duty to inform tradesmen if asbestos is present in a building where they are working. Most work with asbestos containing materials will need to be carried out by a contractor licensed by HSE. Non-licensed workers can carry out some tasks depending on the type of asbestos-containing material, the work to be done and that they have been trained and the proper controls are in place.
4. To view or download interview with mesothelioma sufferer Christopher Morgan as part of the 'Asbestos - The Hidden Killer' campaign visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2009/cmorganlong.htm or http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2009/cmorganshort.htm

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR Scotland