RESPIRATORY HEALTH
ASBESTOS: STILL A WORKPLACE KILLER
While the use of asbestos in new buildings was banned in the UK more than 20 years ago, it is thought that more than a million offices could still contain asbestos fibres, leaving many at risk of developing life- threatening respiratory diseases, which kill more than 5,000 people in the UK every year.
Acorn Analytical Services, an asbestos management company, also estimates that up to 80% of schools still contain the hazardous substance which can prove deadly if it is disturbed. The substance may also be lurking undetected in private homes, domestic garages, and offices.
Failure to protect employees from asbestos exposure is still a major headache for British businesses, leading to countless prosecutions. Only recently, one asbestos management company was ordered to pay a fine of £100,000 for putting employees in danger during a department store refurbishment. Two of the asbestos management company’s staff were jailed.
While Acorn Analytical Services is supportive of the Government’s proposals to ensure that all buildings are free of asbestos within the next 40 years, the company is urging facilities and health and safety managers to act now to ensure any asbestos is removed safely and securely by experts.
“ONE ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT COMPANY WAS ORDERED TO PAY A FINE OF £100,000 FOR PUTTING EMPLOYEES IN DANGER DURING A DEPARTMENT STORE REFURBISHMENT.”
Neil Munro, Director of Acorn Analytical Services, said: “Ideally, we would like to see the removal of asbestos included into any planned works or refurbishments. That way, the work can be planned carefully in advance with the minimum of disruption.
“The first step is to make sure a Refurbishment Asbestos Survey is carried out at the beginning of any construction or refurbishment project to find out if asbestos is present in your building. If it is, there is then plenty of time to bring in an asbestos management company such as Acorn Analytical Services, to ensure your company stays within the law and keeps your employees safe.
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“It’s really important to remember the problem of asbestos has not gone away. It is still all around us, particularly in places of work. We need to take asbestos seriously, make sure it is thought about and talked about and sensible action is taken to remove it wherever and whenever it is found.”
Launched in 2000, Acorn Analytical Services is an award-winning independent asbestos consultancy, with offices in London, Northampton, Birmingham and Cleckheaton and has clients right across the UK.
As well as providing expert independent guidance and support on asbestos and a wide range of environmental issues, Acorn Analytical Services educates through training, books and a podcast, Asbestos Knowledge Empire, which is hosted by directors, Neil Munro and Ian Stone.
The company also works alongside charities including Mesothelioma UK and ActionMeso which are both fighting to improve the lives of mesothelioma patients, to raise awareness about the hidden dangers of asbestos.
Neil said: “We are passionate about educating people about the dangers of asbestos and working with those affected to help them manage it efficiently.
“We understand that dealing with these issues can be stressful, but not dealing with them can be much, much worse and lead to devastating consequences for businesses and individuals alike.
“We would urge anyone who is involved in facilities management or health and safety not to bury their head in the sand and get in touch with us today. We can give you our expert opinion and advice and help you to plan the next important steps. You could help to save someone’s life.”
www.acorn-as.com
www.tomorrowshs.com
If you believe that asbestos is a problem of the past, you might want to think again, says Acorn Analytical Services.
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