News and Knowledge

HSE Launches Consultation on Asbestos Safety Regulations

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) initiated a public consultation to enhance the Control of Asbestos Regulations and improve asbestos management guidance, aiming to better protect workers from health risks associated with residual asbestos.     Despite Great Britain already having one of the best workplace health and safety records globally, the HSE is seeking…

‘The NHS Is Killing Me’: Former Health Worker Speaks Out

A 75-year-old former NHS worker with five decades of service has spoken out about her harrowing cancer diagnosis after potential asbestos exposure during her hospital career.     What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a type of asbestos-related cancer affecting the pleura (lining of the lung). It can be found in the lining of the abdominal…

Manchester Firm Fined for Asbestos Risk at Eccles Pub

A1 Property Maintenance Management Limited, a Manchester-based construction company, has been fined for exposing workers to asbestos during a project at the former Unicorn Public House.     Asbestos Found and Illegally Removed at Construction Site During a routine inspection on May 16, 2022, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector made a disturbing discovery…

Records Reveal Asbestos Kills 9x More Veterans than Combat

Government records reveal that asbestos has killed nine times more military veterans than British victims of the Taliban during the Afghan campaign.   The deadly material, found in military accommodation, ships, submarines, helicopters, and tanks, is causing an average of 89 new cases of mesothelioma, a fatal cancer, each year. According to the British Occupational…

Self-employed contractor sentenced for uncontrolled Asbestos spread, endangering workers and homeowners

A self-employed roofing contractor, Stephen Wilks, has been ordered to conduct unpaid labour following the uncontrolled spread of asbestos in a customer’s back garden, exposing two young employees and nearby homeowners to significant risk.   Video footage from a doorbell camera revealed portions of an old garage roof being disposed of with a lack of…

Global Asbestos Awareness Week – HSE reminds businesses to monitor asbestos

As we step into Global Asbestos Awareness Week (April 1-7), The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding businesses occupying buildings built before the year 2000 to assess, manage and monitor asbestos risks.   Between 1950 and 1980, asbestos was commonly used in buildings and equipment. However, buildings built or refurbished before 2000 could also…

Asbestos: Fear of ‘tsunami’ of deaths in UK schools

A new report has claimed that hundreds of thousands of people will die from asbestos exposure in UK schools after the ‘hidden killer’ still remains in public buildings.   According to statistics, at least 1,400 teachers and support staff, and 12,600 pupils have died from mesothelioma (an aggressive lung cancer caused by inhaling asbestos fibres)…

Ford car factory closed after asbestos discovery

A Ford car factory has been forced to close after banned asbestos was found in sections of the building.   In a letter to customers, Ford – the UK’s second largest car brand, warned that a “small percentage” of chrysotile, commonly known as white asbestos, was detected in cement at one of its UK locations.  …

Companies fined after 16 year old exposed to asbestos at work

Two companies have been fined after a teenager was exposed to asbestos at work.   The 16-year-old had been working for P Turnbull Joinery and Building Services Ltd on an outbuilding of a domestic property after the firm had been hired by Alt Berg Holding Limited to refurbish the property in Richmond, North Yorkshire.  …

Company fined after director knowingly exposed workers to asbestos

Workers at a building supply store in Manchester were knowingly exposed to more than 100 square metres of asbestos after the company director failed to have it removed safely.   HSE attended the premises on Talbot Road in April 2019 after concerns were initially raised over workers unsafely working at height during the demolition of…