The latest news concerning asbestos
Workers urged to report employers over asbestos breaches
updated on: 29 Jun 2008
A campaign group is urging workers to report their bosses to the authorities if they fail to properly manage asbestos on work premises, reports the North-West Evening Mail.
In a stinging attack on the Health and Safety Inspectorate William Whalen, Chairman of the Construction Safety Campaign, said:
"We're losing confidence in the factory inspectors so we're asking the lads to give evidence.
"We're taking samples to the chemist so we can take proof to the factory inspector.
"We can't rely on the Health and Safety Inspectorate. They haven't the resources. The policing of our sites and workplaces is not being done."
"The builders and contractors just want to get on with the job, that's why I believe there's got to be more forceful legislation. If you don't know about something how are you going to avoid it?"
Inquiry over asbestos scare in hospital
updated on: 29 Jun 2008
Isebrook Hospital, Wellingborough, was forced to shut part of its site after contractors installing a burglar alarm disturbed asbestos contained in ceiling tiles. The closure affected as many as 3000 patients and staff and some areas are expected to be closed until July.
A spokesman for Northamptonshire Primary Care trust said:
"The trust reported the incident immediately to the Health and Safety Executive and are now seeking advice from the experts to quickly resolve the situation. Affected areas will be cleaned and reopened as soon as possible.
"The trust will commission a review to learn all that it can from the incident and reduce the likelihood of this type of incident occurring in the future."
The presence of asbestos in public buildings such as hospitals and schools is a source of controversy. Some unions call for the asbestos to be removed while the Health and Safety Executive promotes a policy of management in situ, where it deems the risk of contamination to be low or the cost of removing asbestos to be prohibitively disruptive or expensive.
Insurer warns tradesmen over asbestos
updated on: 29 Jun 2008
Norwich Union Risk Services has warned workers that they must not rely on property owners and managers to ensure that all asbestos is properly managed in areas where they may be working.
Phil Grace of Norwich Union said:
"Although property owners have a duty to identify the presence of asbestos and take steps to reduce the risk, the material can still be present and workers must be vigilant. The law cannot cover every eventuality and therefore workers must be aware of the precautions they need to take.
"The HSE reports that 20 workers die from asbestos related diseases every week, and contrary to many people's beliefs, asbestos can be present in any building built or refurbished before the year 2000.
"There appears to be a growing sense of complacency regarding the risks associated with asbestos. Studies have shown that while many of the 'most at risk' workers know of the dangers of residual asbestos that remains in buildings, they do not believe that they would come into contact with it or they believe there's a safe limit."
The warning comes as the HSE continues its "Asbestos: The Hidden Killer" campaign.
Turner and Newell victims receive asbestos compensation
updated on: 29 Jun 2008
Victims of defunct asbestos giant Turner and Newell will start to receive compensation after its parent company - Federal Mogul - came out of administration, reports Legal &: Medical.
Federal Mogul had originally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an attempt to avoid paying asbestos damages. It subsequently submitted a plan to come out of bankruptcy by March 2007. Now this has finally been achieved, money that had been earmarked for compensation after an earlier agreement became available. Over 100 former employees have died in the meantime.
Ian McFall of Thompson solicitors said:
"Turner and Newall exposed thousands of people to asbestos across the UK. We have been engaged in one of the longest running and most difficult battles to obtain compensation for those who are suffering or have died from asbestos related disease following exposure at T&N's factories and elsewhere.
"We have successfully completed cases for 51 families who between them have received compensation payments totalling around £2 million.
"We are still working on behalf of many others to ensure they receive the compensation they are entitled to. I am glad that the struggle is over, or nearing an end, for many families affected and that for others their claims will be finalised soon."
Scottish pleural plaque bill expected to pass
updated on: 29 Jun 2008
A bill to compensate people with pleural plaques has been introduced to the Scottish parliament. The bill was welcomed by campaign groups and trades unions but heavily criticised by the insurance industry as it will overturn an earlier House of Lords ruling that pleural plaques are symptomless and do not merit compensation.
A Scottish Government spokesman said:
"The Justice Secretary has already made clear the Scottish Government's determination to reverse the House of Lords judgement and ensure that people with pleural plaques can continue to raise an action for damages. "It is right that those who suffer the effects of asbestos as a result of our industrial past are able to claim for damages and we will introduce a bill before recess as we promised to right this wrong."
However, an insurance industry source said:
"Everyone agrees that people with serious asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma should be compensated as quickly as possible. Insurers do this. But the medical community, and the House of Lords, agree that pleural plaques are symptomless, cause no harm to those who have them and do not lead to the development of any other asbestos-related medical conditions."
The bill is expected to pass without problems as it is supported by both Labour and the Liberal Democrats. There is speculation that the passing of the bill will increase the pressure on Gordon Brown to challenge the Law Lords ruling in the rest of the United Kingdom.
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