Asbestos remains the single biggest cause of work related deaths in the UK

By UKATA Technical and Operations Manager, Terry Barker

You might be forgiven for wondering why a body like the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is needed, given the regular press reports bemoaning an excessive health and safety culture in the UK. Yet the work of UKATA and its members has never been more vital in safeguarding employees and public alike from the dangers of exposure to asbestos.

Continuing ignorance, coupled with the mistaken perception of asbestos as a historical problem still leaves much to be done, not only in terms of education and training but in dealing with those flouting the law with regard to asbestos removal and placing themselves and others at serious risk.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) very recently prosecuted another company under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 for removing asbestos without a licence and compounding this crime with a doctored air test report for the plumbers and homeowner, showing it was now safe to enter the building when they knew it was not.

The director of Absolute Asbestos pleaded guilty and was given a six month suspended sentence on each of the three charges against him, 300 hours community service and electronically tagged for three months. He was also ordered to pay £11,340 to the residents affected and £10,160 costs.

Hopefully heavy sentences will serve as a warning of what awaits those who break the law governing asbestos control, while highlighting the importance of rigorous training standards for all involved in the removal of asbestos, ensuring their own and others’ safety.

With 4,000 people dying every year as a result of breathing in asbestos fibres, asbestos remains the biggest single cause of work related deaths in the UK. Yet despite this sobering fact, it is astonishing asbestos training receives scant attention from health and safety commentators.

This is something UKATA is determined to change, by challenging misconceptions and ensuring training is robust enough to guarantee the safety of workers coming into contact with asbestos. The director of Absolute Asbestos may think he has a harsh sentence; but he was quite prepared to risk pronouncing a death sentence – not only on himself by his cavalier attitude but on the workers who unwittingly followed him.

The HSE is not planning any significant additional enforcement activity for new categories of asbestos work, but new guidelines have been designed to drive home the overriding message that while common sense should prevail, the onus has been placed on Approved Contractors to determine whether asbestos work is notifiable or not. As ever when it comes to asbestos, the precautionary principle is paramount.

Forthcoming legislation will mean increased demand for training and consultancy services offered by our members. This case shows the penalty for not taking advantage of such services is steep. Quite rightly, the HSE cannot tolerate (and must make an example of) those who break the rules, particularly when support from organisations like UKATA is easily accessible. Choosing a UKATA member is your guarantee that the highest standards will be adhered to as we continue to take the lead on the very latest key asbestos training initiatives.

UKATA also has a more general mission to encourage all workers to stop and think about asbestos by urging those who work in sectors that could be affected to consider the value of training. For too long, people have had a false sense of security when it comes to asbestos and while attitudes are changing, UKATA still has an educational job to do when it comes to warning of the dangers posed by asbestos. These dangers have already been recognised by the government and the courts and there is no excuse for companies not adhering to the rules.

With proper training in place, asbestos can be handled safely. Current legislation and the HSE’s rules are in place for a reason and it is vital they are strictly adhered to. If anyone is in doubt as to who they can trust with regard to asbestos Health and safety, the UKATA website www.ukata.org.uk and the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos are good places to start.

ENDS

Photograph & caption: UKATA Technical and Operations Manager Terry Barker

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