Asbestos – the greatest single cause of work related deaths in the UK

Citation

(2004), "Asbestos – the greatest single cause of work related deaths in the UK", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 51 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2004.12851eab.007

Asbestos – the greatest single cause of work related deaths in the UK

Asbestos – the greatest single cause of work related deaths in the UK

Keywords: Asbestos, Hazardous materials, UK

The making of the Control of Asbestos at Work 2002 Regulations in October 2002 introduced the new duty to manage asbestos risk in non-domestic premises. The regulation is at the core of the Governments continuing strategy to eradicate asbestos related disease.

Nick Brown (the then Minister responsible for health and safety), in his speech to the House of Commons during the debate on the Regulations in October 2002, reinforced the Government's support:

If current levels of exposure to asbestos are allowed to continue over the next 50 years, nearly 5,000 additional people will be exposed to asbestos fibres and will die from asbestos related diseases. These Regulations should go a long way towards preventing human suffering and misery, and they deserve the full support of the House.

Introduction to the Asbestos Campaign Webpage

The duty to manage asbestos came into force on 21 May 2004 following an 18-month lead-in period. The asbestos campaign messages during that time were emphasising the need for dutyholders to take urgent action to work towards compliance. For some full compliance will have been achieved but for others much may still need to be done.

The Introduction to the Asbestos Campaign Webpage provides those with responsibilities under the legislation with an outline of the duty together with information on what is available to aid understanding and compliance. The site also contains details of HSE's ambitious supporting campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the requirements of, and compliance with, the new legislation amongst a vast and complex audience.