Asbestos - The Facts
- Asbestos is responsible for around 4000 deaths a year – the single greatest cause of work related deaths
- It was used extensively used in building until it was finally banned in 1999
- Asbestos containing materials are still present in many buildings built or refurbished before 2000.
Who is most at risk
- HSE research shows: tradesmen know asbestos is a risk to health, but don’t believe it is relevant to them.
- Groups most likely to be exposed are those in building-related trades such as: Electricians, Plumbers, Joiners, Heating and ventilation engineers
- FMB members and their employees are on the front line. 75% of FMB members main source of work is in domestic RMI.
- Young people are at greater risk than older workers because of the latency factor. It is therefore vital that young people are alerted to the risk as early as possible in their working life
The FMB is a staunch supporter of HSEs Hidden Killer Campaign . The FMB are using communications with members to highlight this issue and are extending their programme of training across the UK in 2012 so as many FMB members a possible have access to this vital knowledge that can save lives.
Finding Asbestos Training courses
The Health and Safety Executive website gives a general explanation of Asbestos training here and more about asbestos training and providers can be found here.
The National Construction College courses
Shield Environmental courses
