Asbestos is the biggest workplace killer

 

 

So why do two thirds of hospitals contain asbestos?

Asbestos is still the biggest workplace killer and Britain has the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world. In order to eradicate asbestos cancer we need a timetabled large-scale retrofit programme of all public buildings.

We see many more asbestos claim cases than we would want. There is a real need to ensure that asbestos is eradicated in public places and workplaces of all kinds. Safety and Health Practitioner (SHP) has released a report into hospitals that contain asbestos.

They report that:

“Two thirds of NHS hospitals in London and Scotland contain asbestos, as well as many health centres, blood donor clinics and GP surgeries, a report has found.

Despite the material being banned for health reasons 23 years ago, the study found asbestos still present in at least 451 NHS premises in London – more than half of those surveyed – and 695 premises in Scotland.A further 1,109 buildings in London and Scotland where the Trust or Board is not the duty holder were also found to have asbestos – there the responsibility for asbestos management lies with other owners or tenants/leaseholders – including NHS Property Services.The results of the study by the Labour Research Department (LRD) for the Trades Union Congress’ (TUC) and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health has sparked concern for both workers and patients.TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Asbestos exposure continues to cause thousands of deaths every year.

“Yet asbestos is still with us in workplaces and public buildings across the country. As a result, decades after the use of asbestos was banned, hundreds of thousands of workers, patients and members of the public are still put at risk of exposure every day.

“The only way to protect today’s workers and future generations is through the safe removal of asbestos from all workplaces and public buildings. We need the national government to work with local authorities on a plan to remove it from every last building.”

The TUC is calling for new legislation requiring the removal of all asbestos from public buildings – rather than the current policy of managing it.

Ian Lavery MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Asbestos, said: “These shocking figures expose the extent of risk to dangerous carcinogenic exposure in the very places designed to nurture our health.”

Attwaters Accidents is the Medical Negligence and Personal Injury department of the trusted, long-established firm Attwaters Jameson Hill. We are here to help you with any claims relating to personal injury and medical negligence.