Around five thousand people a year die from asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos can still be found in buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000, when a ban on the material came into force.
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But HSE is warning despite the ban on its use, many buildings still contain asbestos, and it is still a serious risk to anyone exposed to it at any age.
HSE’s acting head of construction policy, Tim Beaumont, said: “Asbestos can be found in things like Artex, cement boards under eaves, garage roofs, old bath panels, boiler houses and fires and even mortar between bricks can contain asbestos.
“There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure but that’s not to say it can’t be managed safely.
“All tradespeople should make sure they know the basics about identifying asbestos. Before carrying out any construction work, there’s a legal requirement to identify whether asbestos is present and could be disturbed.
“Younger tradespeople need to know the dangers behind asbestos as it could affect them in later life like it is affecting older tradespeople now.”
A warning example
An investigation by the HSE and Stockport Trading Standards led to the recent conviction of a company and its director who failed to ensure the safe removal of asbestos.
Asbestos Boss Limited and its director, Daniel Luke Cockcroft, advertised as a licensed asbestos removal company and removed licensable material from domestic properties throughout the country.
The investigation found that the company had never held a licence and their poor working practices resulted in the large scale spread of asbestos and exposure to homeowners and their families.
Cockcroft was sentenced to 10 months in prison and ordered to pay victim compensation.
HSE inspector, Matt Greenly, said on the conviction: “This case should serve as a warning to any other companies who think they can make a quick profit by cutting corners and risking lives.
"I also hope that potential customers will be able to avoid rogue companies like Asbestos Boss by carrying out simple checks to ensure that any company they employ is legitimate and competent to prevent them and their families being put at serious risk.”
