Asbestos danger message driven home

Asbestos danger message driven home

Residents and maintenance workers are at risk from asbestos because of 'huge deficiencies' in the rules covering the management of asbestos in people's homes. A report backed by construction union UCATT warns that householders undertaking DIY are at particular risk. 'As safe as houses?', prepared for the union by Dr Linda Waldman and Heather Williams of Sussex University's Institute of Development Studies (IDS), criticises the absence of any requirement to reveal the presence of asbestos when selling a private property. The report also raises concerns about the major differences in how individual local authorities and registered social landlords notify tenants about whether properties contain asbestos and the likely risk of exposure. It recommends that all social landlords should have a duty to manage asbestos in the internal part of properties; currently there is only a duty to manage asbestos in communal areas such as stairwells. IDS research fellow Linda Waldman said: 'People aren't aware of the dangers of asbestos and don't know where it is in their homes. This lack of awareness leads to asbestos exposure and increased risk.' UCATT general secretary Alan Ritchie commented: 'The report demonstrates that new regulations are urgently needed in order to ensure that construction workers undertaking maintenance and refurbishment work are properly protected. Workers should not be expected to play Russian roulette with their health.' The report's recommendations include a call for all power tools to carry warnings to remind workers of the potential dangers of asbestos. It adds that there should be increased asbestos training, awareness and guidance for all local authority staff and resident association representatives. The content of apprenticeship training courses for construction workers should be revised to contain modules on asbestos risks and protection procedures, it says.

UCATT news release. IDS news release. Morning Star.