Warning on deadly ‘asbestos protection crisis'

Warning on deadly 'asbestos protection crisis'

There is an 'asbestos protection crisis' throughout the UK as a result of government cut backs on safety campaigns, enforcement and resources, a victims' advocacy group has said. The warning came on 1 July as hundreds of sufferers of the aggressive and deadly cancer mesothelioma and their families gathered to mark Action Mesothelioma Day. The Asbestos Victims Support Groups' Forum (AVSGF) says the crisis stems from a government policy that has seen the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) halt its award-winning 'Hidden Killer' asbestos campaign, an end to preventive health and safety inspections in state schools and from plans to allow tenants to undertake repairs on their frequently asbestos riddled homes. The forum says government policy means that people will continue to die from mesothelioma, including from low levels of exposure to asbestos in social housing and in schools. Cancer sufferer Carole Hagedon commented: 'I was diagnosed with mesothelioma after a 35 year career in teaching. Needless to say, I had not imagined teaching to have such deadly potential. It is shameful that some schools are still failing to protect the children and staff in them. We must campaign for proper controls.' Forum chair Tony Whitston added: 'Government policy is putting maintenance workers, tenants and school staff and children at risk. It is unforgivable for government to repeat the policy mistakes of the past which have caused so many deaths. The Hidden Killer campaign should be reinstated and action taken urgently to protect tenants, school staff and children.'

AVSGF news release [pdf]. HSE's shelved 'Hidden Killer' campaign. Plymouth Herald. Telegraph and Argus. Action Mesothelioma Day.